Preview: Standard Liege vs Genk - prediction, team news, lineups

Seeking their first victory of the 2025-26 Belgian Pro League campaign, Genk will make the trip to Stade Maurice Dufrasne on Sunday afternoon to tackle Standard Liege.

Genk sit down in 12th spot in the Belgian Pro League table, picking up just one point from their first two matches, while Standard Liege are up in fourth, boasting four points from their opening two games.

Match preview

Standard Liege are 10-time Belgian First Division champions, but they have not managed to lift the trophy since 2008-09, while their last domestic success came in the Belgian Cup in 2018.

Mircea Rednic's side have made an encouraging start to this season, recording a 2-0 victory over La Louviere on July 26, before being held to a 1-1 draw by Dender in their first home game of the campaign on August 2.

The Reds occupy fourth spot in the table, two points behind the leaders Anderlecht, and they will follow this match up with a contest against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on August 16.

Standard Liege have been incredibly busy during this summer's transfer window, with their squad being overhauled from last season, which was certainly required after an underwhelming campaign.

Rafiki Said has been their biggest arrival in terms of a transfer fee, making the move from Troyes, while their most notable departure has been Ilay Camara, with the right-back moving to Anderlecht.

Genk, meanwhile, are four-time Belgian Pro League champions, with their last success coming in 2018-19.

The Blue and Whites were second in 2022-23, while they ended the 2024-25 regular season in first, but their final position in the table was third following the conclusion of the champions' play-offs.

Genk have qualified for the Europa League playoff round, though, and it would be a major boost for the club if they were able to secure high-level European football for the 2025-26 season.

Thorsten Fink's side opened their Belgian Pro League campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Club Brugge, before playing out a 1-1 draw with Royal Antwerp last time out, which has left them in 12th spot in the table on one point.

The Blue and Whites have only made four signings during this summer's transfer window - the most notable of those being Tobias Lawal, who has arrived as the club's new number one goalkeeper from LASK.

Standard Liege Belgian Pro League form:

Genk Belgian Pro League form:

Team News

Standard Liege will be without the services of Adnane Abid, Boli Bolingoli, David Bates and Henry Lawrence for their home fixture with Genk on Sunday afternoon through injury.

Marco Ilaimaharitra has been a standout performer for Standard Liege in the early stages of the new season, scoring once in two appearances, and he will again feature in central midfield this weekend.

Meanwhile, there is set to be another spot in the final third of the field for Thomas Henry.

As for Genk, Oh Hyeon-gu is already off the mark in terms of goals for the season, and the number nine is again set to lead the line for the away side against Standard Liege.

There are not expected to be any surprises in the Genk XI on Sunday, with Zakaria El Ouahdi, who has also scored this season, featuring on the right side of the defence.

However, Daan Heymans is out of the fixture due to an injury problem.

Standard Liege possible starting lineup:

Epolo; Fossey, Dierckx, Homawoo, Calut; Mohr, Ilaimaharitira, Karamoko, Said; Henry, Eckert Ayensa

Genk possible starting lineup:

Lawal; El Ouahdi, Smets, Sadick, Kayembe; Heynen, Sattlberger; Steuckers, Karetsas, Adedeji-Sternberg; Oh

We say: Standard Liege 1-1 Genk

Standard Liege have started the season the stronger and will be able to call upon home advantage in this match, but we are expecting Genk to be good enough to secure a share of the spoils.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.