Genk vs Salzburg Champions League Matchday 5 Odds, Picks & Betting Preview
- It’s Matchday 5 in the UEFA Champions League next week
- Group E’s bottom two meet in Genk
- A win is a must for Salzburg to keep their slim qualification hopes alive
Group E’s bottom two meet in Belgium on Matchday 5 on November 27, at 3:00 pm EST in the penultimate round of group games in this season’s UEFA Champions League.
Genk’s Champions League campaign is effectively over but they still have third place to play for which would earn them a place in the knockout phase of the Europa League. For Salzburg, the dream is still alive… just.
The visitors are odds-on favorites for the win but in there value elsewhere? We’ll take a look.
Genk vs Salzburg UCL Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genk | +0.5, +1.0 (+103) | +338 | O 3.5 (+103) |
| Salzburg | -0.5, -1.0 (-119) | -152 | U 3.5 (-119) |
| Draw | N/A | +298 | N/A |
Odds taken on Nov. 22
One sportsbook has Salzburg as hot, odds-on favorites for this game and based on the 6-2 thrashing handed out by the visitors to Genk on Matchday 1 that’s not surprising. But, despite only having picked up a single point so far, Genk will come into this one believing they can get at least a point; indeed if they were able to sneak the win they would still leave themselves a chance of snatching third spot and a place in the Europa League.
For Salzburg, the stakes are even higher. A win and they still have a chance of top two and a place in the lucrative stages of the Champions League, made even more plausible when you consider than second-place Napoli are away to current European champions, Liverpool on Matchday 5. If the cards fall right for the Austrians, they could head into Matchday 6 one point behind the Italians.
Nightmare on Matchday 1
This was only Genk’s third time in the Champions League proper and despite comfortably winning last season’s Belgian Pro League they remain inexperienced at this level. This was cruelly exposed on Matchday 1 when their campaign got off to the worst possible start with a thumping 6-2 defeat in Salzburg.
For Salzburg, the stakes are high. A win and they still have a chance of top two and a place in the lucrative stages of the Champions League
Despite goals from Jhon Lucumi and Mbwana Samatta, it was a humbling experience for Genk- one from which they never properly recovered – but they did clear their heads sufficiently to earn their only point of the group so far in their first home game. Napoli’s visit to the Luminus Arena ended goalless on Matchday 2 and although it was a mainly defensive performance from the Belgians, they did create a few chances and came away with some credit in the bank.
Unfortunately for Genk, they were unable to find that same resolve and solidity against Liverpool on Matchday 3 and despite a late consolation from Stephen Odey they went down 4-1, effectively ending any chance of making top two. In fairness, they fared better in the reverse fixture and Anfield and although they went down 2-1, put in a display that earned a lot of praise. If they can rediscover that level against Salzburg it will be a close one.
Unable to Build on Flyer
Salzburg’s flying start to the campaign meant a buoyant Red Bull team headed to Anfield on Matchday 2, and they came really close to pulling off a shock result. Despite going 3-0 down inside 36 minutes, they responded brilliantly and in a stirring display of attacking soccer managed to pull level, with goals from Hwanh Hee-chan, Minamino and Erling Haland. Only a late winner from the Reds’ Mo Salah claimed the points for the European champions.
They were unable however to build on their Anfield heroics and the double-header that followed against Napoli produced just a single point, despite a couple of good performances. The home tie was a thriller and ended 3-2 to the Italians – both goals from Haland – while in Italy another Haland goal, from the penalty spot, earned them a point from a 1-1 draw.
Still Loads to Play For
On paper, sportsbooks have it right and everything points to an away win (-152), but Genk will not want this campaign to fizzle out. Nor will they want to finish bottom of the group in which third place earns a place in the Europa League. But they simply concede too many goals, the 0-0 with Napoli aside.
With Salzburg full of goals themselves, it really is hard to make an argument for anything other than an away win, but my gut tells me Genk will feel they owe their fans a performance. I’m going to stick my neck out and go for a high-scoring draw, maybe even a 3-3.
My pick: Genk and Salzburg to draw (+298)
Once just a sports fanatic, fan-turned-writer Gary Gowers has been featured on European television and radio networks to discuss several professional football clubs. His work can be found in an assortment of publications like The Metro, MyFootballWriter.com, and BBC Radio Norfolk.
