Genk managed a fifth of their usual chances in Union's 1-0 win

Union St. Gilloise won at home with the ball and the shots, but Genk's chances fell far below their usual level.

Genk went to Stade Joseph Marien and created almost nothing. Their expected goals, a figure that gives each shot a value based on how likely it was to go in (a clear one-on-one might be worth around half a goal, a speculative effort from distance only a few per cent), came to 0.36. Away from home they usually reach 1.88, so this was a visit well below their normal level. Union St. Gilloise took the only goal and the three points.

Union had the ball for 57% of the match, where their home average is 52.3%. They also took 21 shots, comfortably above the 17.3 they usually manage at home, but only four were on target. Their own expected goals came to 1.21, slightly under their usual 1.34 and not far from what a typical side in this league creates. The extra volume did not turn into better openings, and about half of those shots came from outside the box.

The only goal came late, on 76 minutes. Ross Sykes finished after a pass from Besfort Zeneli, who had created six chances for team-mates during the match. Zeneli was taken off four minutes later, so the assist was among his final involvements. Sykes was the only Union scorer, and his finish was the difference between two sides that otherwise produced very little in front of goal.

Genk had 43% of the ball, against a normal 55.6% on their travels, and they struggled to test the home side. Their seven shots produced nothing on target: six went off target and one was blocked. Given how their away matches usually go, it was a sharp drop in threat, and the visitors had little to show for the spells when they did keep the ball.

Discipline was not a factor for either side. Massire Sylla was booked for Union on 63 minutes, and Y. Medina was booked for Genk on 89. Neither side had a player sent off, so the scoreline reflects a game played at full strength from start to finish, with the one goal arriving with the home side already on top in shot volume.

Union are third in the table with 26 points from their matches so far, and they have lost none of them. Genk sit seventh on 15 points, with three defeats across the same spell. For Union, the win kept a long unbeaten run intact, while Genk now have to climb back from a position built on draws and narrow losses.

Player of the matchRoss Sykes1 goal7.9

Massire Sylla7 duels won7.3

Adem Zorgane3 chances created7.3

Besfort Zeneli1 assist7.2