Somehow, despite only just clinching a play-off spot in the final game of the season, Genk could be set to join the title race. With the points being halved to start the play-offs, and the sides two wins so far, they sit just five points behind league leaders Union St Gilloise. They welcome Cercle Brugge on Saturday afternoon, who themselves were able to beat the former runaway leaders in the Pro League Union.
However, after two defeats for Union and Anderlecht’s defeat to Club Brugge, the title race is opening up for both Club and Genk. Given that both Brussels sides face each other on Sunday, Genk have a great chance to put some pressure on both sides. Should Genk win, and the Brussels derby end in a draw, Genk could go level on points with Anderlecht if they beat them in the following match week.
This will certainly cause a lot of tension amongst fans of Belgian football. For advocates of the play-off system, they will certainly see a potential four team title race as a roaring success. Yet for others, it makes a mockery of the regular season in which both Brussels sides were consistently the best two teams in the league. During the regular season, Union won nine more games than Genk, while Anderlecht won seven.
For Cercle, their aim remains to finish in the top four and have a chance at European football. Kevin Denkey has 26 goals in 31 games this season, while winger Alan Minda has emerged as a bright young talent with eight goals and six assists from out wide so far this season.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
