KRC Genk will take on KV Oostende in the Belgian Pro League this weekend as the first division football around Europe continues for the 2021/22 season.
Genk are not long coming off the back of their defeat to rivals Club Brugge in the Belgian Super Cup, where, despite taking the lead through Theo Bongondas just before half time, Matej Mitrovic equalised before the first 45 was over.
Noa Lang and Clinton Mata would seal the deal for Brugge within the first five minutes of the second half, meaning Jere Uronen's 93rd minute strike was not enough to force the game to extra time for Genk.
They were, however, quite unlikely not to take the game to extra time, given how they saw most of the ball, had more shots and created a few chances throughout the game.
To make matters worse for the Belgian giants, they drew their opening game in the Belgian Pro League this campaign, as them and fellow heavyweights, Standard Liege, played out a 1-1 draw.
Bongonda scored again that day, making it two in two for Genk so far this season, but once more, the club had to wait until injury time to do some damage, as he bagged in the 92nd minute.
As for Oostende, however, it couldn't be much worse for them as they are rooted to the bottom of the table in the Belgium Pro League following a 3-0 defeat to Charleroi on the opening day.
Oostende were utterly blown away in that game and never really got going at all throughout the clash, as Chris Bedia, Anass Zaroury and Joris Kayembe scored a goal each for the away side.
If the club are to get one over on Genk, they simply have to show something else, as they were dominated last time out and have lost serious momentum given their issues off the field.
Last campaign, the club did finish fifth, just three points behind Genk, but in reality, they will just be happy to be in the top flight after almost losing their license to play in the division after financial difficulties.
Genk will also be needing Paul Onuachu to turn up this season, with the Nigerian bagging an excellent 30 goals in the Belgian Pro League last time out, which contributed to just under half of their goals in the division.
There isn’t much to go off right now with both clubs winless, but no doubt Genk are the favourites and they should get the job done over Oostende, who could be in for a really long, tiring and worrying season.