Rapid out to spike Genk's guns

SK Rapid Wien ended KRC Genk's 100% start to UEFA Europa League Group G on matchday three but could do with improving on that draw if they are to strike out for a place in the round of 32.

Previous meetings
• Marcel Sabitzer's header in Belgium earned Rapid a 1-1 draw as Genk's first encounter with Austrian opposition ended in disappointment.

• Rapid's 11 meetings with Belgian clubs have produced the record W4 D3 L4 (W3 D0 L2 in Vienna – W1 D3 L2 in Belgium). However, they are without a win in their last six contests with Belgian sides (D2 L4) since beating RC Liégeois 1-0 in the third round of the 1989/90 UEFA Cup on 22 November 1989.

• FC Salzburg's 2-1 win again R. Standard de Liège on matchday three ended an eight-game barren spell for Austrian clubs against Belgian visitors, comprising three draws and five defeats.

Match background
• Last season, Genk made it through to the round of 32 unbeaten on what was their UEFA Europa League group stage debut, topping their section with three wins and three draws. They are on target to match that achievement in 2013/14, having won two and drawn one of their Group G games so far. At this stage last season they also had seven points.

• Genk are in the driving seat in Group G after kicking off with a 1-0 victory at FC Dynamo Kyiv and a 2-1 home success against FC Thun.

• This is Rapid's fourth attempt at the group stage of this competition, though they have yet to successfully navigate their way through to the last 32.

• Rapid are unbeaten in four European home games (W3 D1), a run which stretches back to a 4-0 loss to Bayer 04 Leverkusen in last season's UEFA Europa League group stage.

Team facts
• Genk forward Katuku Tshimanga celebrates his 25th birthday on the eve of matchday four.

• Rapid reserve goalkeeper Samuel Radlinger celebrates his 21st birthday on the day of the Genk rematch.

• At 2.08m, Genk goalkeeper Kristof Van Hout is the tallest player in the group stage.

• KSV Waterschei, who merged with KFC Winterslag to form Genk in 1988, reached the semi-finals of the 1982/83 European Cup Winners' Cup, losing out to Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen FC.

Coach information
• Zoran Barisic's second spell as Rapid coach commenced in spring 2013, and the midfielder has deep roots with the club. Born in Vienna but of Croatian descent, he was among the key performers as Rapid reached the 1995/96 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final and won the Austrian title the same year, and later won three titles at FC Tirol Innsbruck. He returned to the Rapid youth ranks to start his coaching career.

• Hired in August 2011, Dutchman Mario Been won his first trophy as Genk coach when he guided his side to the 2012/13 Belgian Cup. An attacking midfielder, 'Mariodona' played for home-town club Feyenoord, Pisa Calcio, Roda JC, sc Heerenveen, FC Tirol Innsbruck and another Rotterdam side, SBV Excelsior. He subsequently coached both Excelsior and Feyenoord either side of leading NEC Nijmegen through the 2008/09 UEFA Cup group stage.