Will Onuachu strike again?

An exciting match will undoubtedly be played between Genk and Dinamo Zagreb. The teams are on a par in terms of play, although the visitors lost their Europa League opener 2-0 to West Ham, while the Limburg side started with a 1-0 away win at Rapid Wien.

However, the Belgians’ previous task was of course clearly easier in comparison with the Austrians. In league play, the home side have been convincing in parallel and occupy third place in the Jupiler League. Above all, their attack is working – only Antwerp has scored 19 goals after nine matchdays, which is a proud achievement in a league-wide comparison.

Belgium Genk – Statistics & current form

The 2019 champions missed out on Champions League participation with two defeats to Shakhtyor Donetsk, forcing them to forgo another appearance in the group stage of the top flight as they did two years ago.

Perhaps it was better that way, because back then the Smurfs disgraced themselves with five defeats and only one draw and a disastrous goal difference of 3:20 in the games against the Reds, Napoli and Red Bull Salzburg. Now, as mentioned at the beginning, they were able to celebrate another victory in the Europa League.

Bongonda must continue to pass

However, the opening victory against Rapid Wien came with a drop of bitterness, as Theo Bongonda injured himself in the attack and is therefore currently unable to play. This is a painful loss for the “Smurfs”, as the Belgian was the club’s second best goal scorer last season and had already scored four goals in six appearances in the current Jupiler League season.

Due to his absence, it comes down even more to Paul Onuachu in the forward line. The Nigerian was hotly courted by top clubs in England in the summer, but continues to hunt for goals with the Blue and Whites for the time being.

The 27-year-old has already scored nine goals in eight appearances in the Jupiler League Only Swiss Michael Frey from Flemish neighbours Antwerp currently tops this tally.

Overall, however, the home side’s attack, as described above, has not been affected by the loss of Bongonda so far, because in addition to Onuachu, other players such as Japan’s Junya Ito, with three assists in the past four competitive matches, are successfully stepping into the breach in the forward play.

Will the hosts strike at least twice?

With that in mind, the odds on the hosts scoring at least twice in the match between Genk and Dinamo Zagreb are also linked with value. In the dress rehearsal for the match against the Croats, the Belgian vice-champion already recorded a 3-0 win against Seraing last Sunday. Matchwinner was again Paul Onuachu with a hat-trick!

Predicted line-up of Genk:
Vandevoordt – Cuesta – Lucumi – Arteaga – Munoz – Thorstvedt – Eiting – Heynen – Ito – Onuachu – Samatta

Last matches of Genk:

Croatia Dinamo Zagreb – Statistics & current form

The Croatian champions and reigning cup winners of the country had to bury their dream of the Champions League in the qualifiers, just like Genk. It was not enough against the Moldovan surprise team from Tiraspol. Now, the start against West Ham in the Europa League has also failed.

However, the Londoners are of course the toughest opponents in the group, which is why this defeat came as much less of a surprise. Nevertheless, the performance was somewhat disappointing, because in the entire match against the Hammers, no direct shot on goal could be fired.

The Modri actually have a very strong squad. Several Croatian internationals can be found in this squad, who also played for their home country at the European Championship 2021. One example is Mislav Orsic in attack.

The 28-year-old has scored double-digit goals in the Croatian 1st HNL in each of the last two seasons and made headlines in the Europa League last season.

He scored a hat-trick in the second leg against Tottenham in the last 16, first knocking Spurs out of the competition and then removing Jose Mourinho from his coaching position at the Lilywhites. However, the “Blues” were still knocked out in the next round as they were defeated by eventual title winners Villarreal.

Orsic acting a bit tired

Now, however, Orsic looks physically drained after the European Championship in the summer and a short breather due to the subsequent tasks in the Champions League qualifiers.

As can be seen from the fact that in the last five weeks at club level and in a national team shirt he scored only a slender goal in Zagreb’s win last weekend against Slaven Belupo in league action.

The same can be said in equal measure for fellow Dinamo and national team attacker Bruno Petkovic, who likewise marked just one goal in last month’s review.

Gavranovic is no longer on board

On the offensive side, coach Damir Krznar will also no longer be able to call on the equally powerful attacker Mario Gavranovic. The Switzerland international recently moved to Kayserispor in the Turkish Süperlig.

Last season, the Swiss was Zagreb’s top scorer and ranked second in the league in goals scored, which is why his departure has naturally left a big gap in the attack

In light of this, odds on a clean sheet from the Flemings are additionally a good idea in the match between Genk and Dinamo Zagreb.

Predicted line-up of Dinamo Zagreb:
Livakovic – Lauritsen – Sutalo – Theophile-Catherine – Franjic – Misic – Ademi – Ristovski – Ivanusec – Orsic – Petkovic

Last matches played by Dinamo Zagreb:

Belgium Genk – Dinamo Zagreb Croatia Tipp

The “Purgeri” are desperate to get their first points in the Europa League under their belt when they visit Flanders. But it won’t be easy for the 22-time Croatian champions: Genk has a powerful squad and with Gavranovic, Dinamo recently gave away an important striker.

On top of that, Orsic looks overplayed in attack and seems to be paying the physical toll for a summer that was almost played through. For the clash between Genk and Dinamo Zagreb the forecast instead includes a goal by Paul Onuachu for the hosts

With Bongonda out of action, KRC’s already clear top scorer is in even greater demand and the Nigerian is living up to the increased workload, with last year’s Jupiler League top scorer having scored in his last five competitive matches and delivered no fewer than eight goals!