Union Saint-Gilloise vs Genk prediction 26.05.2024

• Competition: Juplier Pro League, Championship Group
• Date: Sunday, 26th May, 2024
• Kickoff: 17:30 UTC +1 / 18:30 CEST
• Venue: Stade Joseph Marien (Brussels)

Since returning to the Jupiler Pro League in the 2021/22 season, Union Saint-Gilloise quickly became one of the best teams in Belgium. They finished 3rd and 2nd in the following two seasons, coming really close to winning the title. This year, they managed to win the Cup, which is their first major trophy since the 1963/64 season when they won the Cup as well. In the league, they once again came close to winning the title as they are 2nd, just three points away from the top spot. However, due to a worse goal difference, they are without a chance to secure it, but they still have a massive motive because they want to stay in 2nd place. They are on level with points with 3rd-placed Anderlecht, with a goal advantage, so it is crucial they secure a win here. There is a massive difference between being 2nd or 3rd because that will decide whether they will play in the Champions League or Europa League qualifiers.

Last year, Genk missed the title only by one point. However, they were not even remotely good this year. They barely secured the Championship Group, finishing 6th in the regular phase. They continued with poor performances in the Championship Group and are fourth - one point away from fifth-placed Cercle Brugge. If they stay in fourth place, they will play in the Europa League, and if they drop to fifth, they will have to go through the Conference League Playoffs to secure the ECL qualifiers. 

Union Saint-Gilloise vs Genk pick: Union Saint-Gilloise to win

Union Saint-Gilloise are in excellent form. They are undefeated in the last six matches and have won four of them. On the other hand, Genk are in totally opposite momentum, losing four of the last five matches. Away from home, they totally collapsed defensively lsoing three in a row with ten goals allowed - 3.3 per game.

Genk's defense has an additional problem as its two key central defenders are suspended for this match, and that will surely not help. 

In the previous h2h game, Genk won 1:0 at Cegeka Arena in a super close game where Union Saint-Gilloise were probably slightly better. Now, at Stade Joseph Marien, with a massive difference in form and considering all the above, we believe that Union Saint-Gilloise should secure a comfortable win.