- Genk form: Genk have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five games in all competitions.
- Leuven form: Oud-Heverlee Leuven have won two and lost three of their last five.
- Head-to-head: Genk have won both of the last two head-to-heads with Leuven, including a 2-1 home win in First Division A 2025/2026.
An important clash for both sides
Genk tactical approach
Racing Genk’s performances, both in and out of the Conference Group, have shown clear signs of improvement since Nicky Hayen took charge in December 2025. They are now a well-structured team, who are disciplined, pragmatic and know when to accept a risk. Genk are a possession-based team, but not a high-possession side as such, and they can be flexible, switching up formations and switching between high- and low-block pressing styles depending on the game.
Genk match plan
Genk will try to manipulate the game by keeping it in a steady rhythm for long periods before switching tempo and using their wide players to break through compact formations.
Players to watch
- Daan Heymans is the top scorer for Genk in the Conference Group with 2 goals in 1 match, while Zakaria El Ouahdi has been a steady scorer this season, netting 3 of Genk’s last 10 goals.
- Henok Teklab has scored 1 Conference Group goal for Leuven, while Oscar Gil has scored 2 of the team’s last 4 goals, making them the top choices to get on the scoresheet on Sunday.
Leuven tactical approach
Oud-Heverlee Leuven, on the other hand, have been solid but unspectacular under the management of Felice Mazzù, who took over in October 2025. Leuven typically play with a three or a five-man defence, sitting deep and compact with selective pressing. They aim to be a frustrating side for their opponents to break down before catching them with a counter-attack.
Leuven have struggled away from home in First Division A 2026, winning 5, drawing 2 and losing 8 of 15 games, averaging just 0.93 goals per away game. They beat Royal Antwerp FC 1-0 at home in their best performance of the campaign, but were beaten 1-3 by Standard Liege at home in their most recent game.
Genk should have the edge
Genk have a better home record in the league this season than they do away, winning six, drawing four and losing five of 15 home games. They have scored 21 goals in 15 home games.
The odds for Genk to win this game are good value at 1.67 and with Over 2.5 goals at 1.65, while Both Teams to Score - No at 2.1 appeals.
Genk have won both of their last two head-to-head meetings against Leuven and the gap in the table suggests the home team should have the better of Leuven on Sunday, although the visitors will no doubt make this a difficult game. We expect Genk to eventually break through and win the match, but Leuven may struggle to score against the hosts.
