Genk vs Din. Zagreb Prediction & Betting Tips (26 February)

The Europa League knockout round playoff between Genk and Dinamo Zagreb has taken on a very different tone after the first leg in Croatia, where Genk stunned the Maksimir crowd with a 3–1 away victory on 19 February 2026. Bryan Heynen opened the scoring before Zakaria El Ouahdi struck twice, while Dion Beljo briefly gave Dinamo hope with a goal just before half-time. That result has been one of the standout European stories of the past couple of months, putting the Belgian side in a commanding position and leaving the Croatian champions needing something special in the return meeting if they are to keep their continental campaign alive.

Genk come into the home leg with confidence that has been steadily building over the last two months. Their win in Zagreb added to an already positive sequence, with four victories in their last five competitive outings across league and Europe, underlining a team that has found balance between defensive organisation and quick transitions. The way they managed the first leg—absorbing pressure, then striking decisively—has been widely praised in recent coverage, and it reinforces the sense that Genk are maturing on the European stage. Playing in front of their own supporters now, they know that composure rather than caution should guide their approach.

For Dinamo Zagreb, the narrative in recent weeks has been more complicated. Four defeats in their last five matches in all competitions tell the story of a side searching for rhythm at exactly the wrong time of the season. The loss at home to Genk has intensified scrutiny, with local media highlighting the need for greater creativity in midfield and more support for the lone striker. Still, Dinamo have a history of producing big European performances when their backs are against the wall, and the squad will travel to Belgium determined to show that the first leg was a setback rather than a definitive verdict on their quality.

Looking ahead to the return clash, the tie feels set up for a tight, tactical contest in which Genk’s recent momentum is balanced by Dinamo’s desperation to respond. A narrow home win for the Belgian side appears a realistic outcome, and a 2-1 scoreline would both reflect Genk’s attacking edge and acknowledge Dinamo’s ability to threaten on the break. Recent analytical previews, including Genk’s domestic and European assignments such as 2-1, 2-1, and Dinamo-focused outlooks like 2-1, all point toward a finely balanced encounter where small details could decide everyth