Gent vs. Genk Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 18 May 2025 - bettingexpert

As we head into the penultimate round of the First Division A, Gent will host Genk at the Planet Group Arena on 18 May 2025 at 17:30. With Genk sitting third with 41 points and Gent at the bottom of the playoff group with 26 points, each side has contrasting motivations for the fixture.

Gent, under coach Danijel Milicevic, have unfortunately struggled, losing their last five games. Injuries to key players like Max Dean and Hugo Gambor have not helped their cause. Meanwhile, Genk’s coach, Thorsten Fink, has his team also in poor form with three points in their last five matches, missing the suspended Bryan Heynen and Matty Smets.

Despite the odds favoring Genk, both sides seem evenly matched in recent times. Our match tip suggests placing a bet on Gent with a +0.50 Asian Handicap, expecting a more balanced game than the odds might imply. This should be an intriguing contest, adding another layer to the season’s narrative. Expect some resilience from Gent against a not-so-confident Genk.

Gent vs Genk Prediction & Betting Tip

For this matchup between Gent and Genk, our recommended betting tip is Gent +0.50 (Asian Handicap). Despite Gent’s current standing, both teams have been struggling recently. Here’s why we’ve chosen this tip:

Gent vs Genk Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Gent +0.50 (Asian Handicap)	3.73

• Both teams are in a poor run of form, making it a more balanced matchup than the odds suggest.
• Genk, despite being the favorite, has lost four out of their last five matches.
• Both sides have struggled to keep clean sheets recently, indicating potential vulnerabilities in both defenses.

This match could be tighter than expected, giving Gent a chance to upset the odds.

Gent vs Genk Odds

Looking at the odds for this First Division A clash, Genk comes in as the bookmakers’ favorites. The odds reflect their higher position in the standings and their better overall performance this season. However, Gent’s recent struggles make this a potential upset.

Gent vs Genk Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Gent	3.73
Draw	3.79
Genk	1.85

This match may not be as straightforward as the odds suggest. Gent, despite their poor form, will aim to capitalize on Genk’s recent struggles. A closely contested battle is expected.

Gent Team Analysis

Gent Recent Performance

• Recent Form: LLLLL
  Gent have had a rough patch recently, losing their last five matches. This dire form hasn’t been helped by a serious lack of goals, averaging just 0.20 goals per game in their last five outings. Moreover, they’ve failed to keep any clean sheets during this period, further highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities.

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Gent	Royal Antwerp	2025-05-11	Playoff Championship	0-3 (Loss)
Club Brugge	Gent	2025-05-01	Playoff Championship	4-1 (Loss)
Gent	Anderlecht	2025-04-27	Playoff Championship	0-1 (Loss)
Anderlecht	Gent	2025-04-23	Playoff Championship	5-0 (Loss)
Gent	Club Brugge	2025-04-20	Playoff Championship	0-5 (Loss)

This dismal run of form places them firmly at the bottom, and coach Danijel Milicevic has his work cut out as they prepare to host Genk. Despite these struggles, Gent will seek to turn their fortunes around at Planet Group Arena.
To complicate matters, Gent are dealing with several injuries, reducing their options further, but they’ll hope to leverage their home ground advantage and break this losing streak.

Gent Key Players

Gent might be sitting at the bottom of the table, but they have some players who can turn the tide. Omri Gandelman, their top scorer with a single goal, will need to step up, especially against Genk’s defense. Despite few goals this season, his position as an attacking midfielder makes him pivotal for creating chances.
Another key player is Leonardo da Silva Lopes in central midfield, who can both defend and push play forward. His partnership with Mathias Delorge will be essential in controlling the midfield battle.

Expected lineup for Gent:

• Goalkeeper: Tom Vandenberghe
• Defenders: Matisse Samoise, Samuel Kotto, Archie Brown
• Midfielders: Noah Fadiga, Leonardo da Silva Lopes, Mathias Delorge, Tiago Araújo
• Attacking Midfielder: Omri Gandelman
• Forwards: Dante Vanzeir, Aimé Omgba

Gent Suspensions & Injuries

Gent has no suspensions to report, but they are dealing with several injury issues that could impact their squad depth and performance.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Davy Roef	Broken arm	Potential return doubtful
Max Dean	Ligament injury	Potential return doubtful
Hugo Gambor	Hamstring injury	Potential return doubtful
Hélio Varela	Elbow injury	Potential return doubtful

These injuries could severely limit Gent’s options, especially with key players like Max Dean and Davy Roef sidelined. Coach Danijel Milicevic will need to rely on his squad depth to fill these gaps.

Gent Tactics and Formation

Gent Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-1-2
• Key Forward: Omri Gandelman
• Midfield Quartet: Noah Fadiga, Leonardo da Silva Lopes, Mathias Delorge, Tiago Araújo
• Defensive Setup: Three center-backs with Matisse Samoise, Samuel Kotto, and Archie Brown
• Notable Strategy: Gent tend to attack down the wings, leveraging the pace of their wingbacks.

With coach Danijel Milicevic at the helm, Gent typically sets up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, aiming to create numbers both in the midfield and upfront. They struggle with defensive solidity, as evidenced by their recent run of form. Expect Gent to focus on quick transitions and to capitalize on any defensive lapses from Genk, especially in the closing stages where Genk tends to concede most.

Genk Team Analysis

Genk Recent Performance

Genk’s recent form has been quite challenging, with the team managing only one draw in their last five matches, losing the other four. Their recent performances have them at risk of dropping points in the remaining fixtures.

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Genk	Club Brugge	2025-05-11	Playoff Championship	0-2 (Loss)
Union St.Gilloise	Genk	2025-05-03	Playoff Championship	1-0 (Loss)
Genk	Royal Antwerp	2025-04-27	Playoff Championship	0-1 (Loss)
Royal Antwerp	Genk	2025-04-23	Playoff Championship	1-1 (Draw)
Genk	Union St.Gilloise	2025-04-20	Playoff Championship	1-2 (Loss)

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Genk have been struggling to find the back of the net, with an average of just 0.40 goals scored in their last five games, and they haven’t kept any clean sheets during this stretch. Coach Thorsten Fink will need a strategic overhaul to pull his team out of this rough patch if they aim to secure vital points in this closing phase of the season. Their defensive frailty, conceding 1.1 goals on average this season, is another area needing urgent attention.

Genk Key Players

Expected lineup for Genk:

• Goalkeeper: Mike Penders
• Defenders: Zakaria El Ouahdi, Mujaid Sadick, Yaimar Medina, Joris Kayembe Ditu
• Midfielders: Nikolas Sattlberger, Josue Kongolo, Jarne Steuckers, Patrik Hrosovsky, Christopher Bonsu Baah
• Forward: Toluwalase Arokodare

Top scorer Toluwalase Arokodare, with three goals, will be crucial up front. Keep an eye on Hrosovsky, who can unlock defenses with his creativity.

Key individual battles include Arokodare against Gent’s central back, Samuel Kotto, and Hrosovsky facing defensive midfielder Leonardo da Silva Lopes.

These matchups could be decisive as Genk looks to turn around their recent struggles.

Genk Suspensions & Injuries

Player	Suspension	Expected return
Bryan Heynen	Yellow cards	One match
Matte Smets	Red card	One match

Genk will be without two key players for this encounter. Bryan Heynen and Matte Smets are both suspended, with Heynen serving a one-match ban due to an accumulation of yellow cards and Smets serving a suspension for a red card.

Their absences could disrupt the defensive solidity and midfield control, making it a critical test for Thorsten Fink’s squad depth.

This might necessitate tactical adjustments to cover these gaps and could impact Genk’s performance, especially in midfield battles and defensive resilience.

Genk Tactics and Formation

Genk’s Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Tolu Arokodare
• Midfield Pivot: Nikolas Sattlberger, Josue Kongolo
• Defensive Line: Zakaria El Ouahdi, Mujaid Sadick, Yaimar Medina, Joris Kayembe Ditu

Tactical Overview:
Thorsten Fink’s side is navigating a challenging period, reflected in their recent form. Despite their struggles, they maintain a tactical shape that aims to control the midfield and create opportunities from wide areas. The suspension of key players Bryan Heynen and Matte Smets means Genk will likely rely on the combination of Sattlberger and Kongolo to anchor the midfield.

Expect Genk to play a possession-oriented game, seeking to exploit Gent’s defensive vulnerabilities, especially late in the game, where Gent tends to concede more goals. Defensive solidity might be compromised due to the absences, making the role of Mujaid Sadick critical in marshalling the back line.

Gent vs Genk Head-to-Head Statistics

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Genk	Gent	2025-03-30	First Division A Playoff Championship Group	4-0 (Loss)
Genk	Gent	2025-02-23	First Division A	0-0 (Draw)
Gent	Genk	2024-10-27	First Division A	0-2 (Loss)
Genk	Gent	2024-06-02	First Division A ECL Playoff	0-1 (Win)
Genk	Gent	2023-12-03	First Division A	2-2 (Draw)

The past five encounters between Gent and Genk showcase a mixed bag of results, with Genk having the upper hand with two wins and a notable 4-0 victory in their latest meeting. Gent managed a single win and there have been two draws. The outcomes suggest a keenly contested rivalry with Genk slightly edging the overall performances.

This historical perspective hints at a competitive fixture with both teams familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Odds accurate as of 16/05/2025 17:31, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.