Gent vs Anderlecht Predictions

Back at the start of the campaign, both Gent and Anderlecht would’ve had their sights set on challenging for the title, though both have fallen massively short. As we head into the final game of the season, both sides not only have no chance of getting anywhere near top spot, but both are also too far behind to challenge for a Europa League spot. A disappointing season all round.

Gent have ended the campaign in pleasing fashion; they’ve won each of their last two matches, beating the likes of St. Liege, though they’ve paid the price for having a poor spell prior to that. Six defeats in seven games essentially put an end to their quest for Europa League football.

They may have ended up finishing in an undesirable position, though their recent form will allow the hosts to approach this final-day fixture feeling confident. Frankly, if they can beat Liege and Antwerp, then they can get the better of Anderlecht, who’ve not been great away from home this season.

On the road is where Anderlecht have been at their worst this season. They ended the regular campaign with more losses than wins away from home, while they’re currently without an away-day victory in three.

It’s not that they’ve given an abundance of goals/chances away, more that they’ve struggled to outscore their opponents. Anderlecht have scored an average of 1.28 goals on the road but have conceded an average of 1.5. What’s more, they average 1.28 expected goals for and have surrendered an average of 1.38.

In addition, the visitors come into this final game having offered very little going forward in their recent away matches, as they’ve posted expected goals for figures of just 0.79, 0.38 and 0.74. That said, when they visited this venue back in January, they posted 1.91 expected goals for.

Realistically, it’s not hard to pick holes in the efforts of both teams; both have been below par for much of the campaign. Backing either side to prevail doesn’t make much appeal ahead of this dead rubber, though ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’ stands out as a decent bet.

With the pressure off, both teams could cut loose, while it’s not as the numbers aren’t in favour. Given that the pair average a combined 3.32 expected goals for in their respective home and away games, coupled with the fact that they shared 3.47 when they met at this venue in January, a high-scoring game is easy to support.