Kortrijk vs Gent Predictions

Six points and four position separate Kortrijk and Gent in the Belgian First Division A table, and both teams hold aspirations of playing European football next season. As things stand, Gent look the more likely of the teams to qualify for the Europa League next season as they currently sit sixth in the table and are enjoying a good run of form.

Last weekend Kortrijk made the trip to Standard Liege where a thirty-sixth minute strike from Chevalier saw the visitors lead 1-0 at the break. However, this turned out to be a false dawn for Kortrijk as a sixty-sixth minute penalty from Emond saw Standard Liege get back onto level terms, and a dramatic stoppage time goal from Luyindama won the game for the hosts. Kortrijk gave a decent account of themselves in Liege, but didn’t create enough chances, especially in the second half, and in the end the result was a fair one.

Gent had a tougher 1st leg in the Semi-Finals of the Belgium Cup against Oostende than many had expected, with both halves action packed. Yaremchuk put the hosts in front, but only for a couple of minutes before Oostende equalised through De Sutter. Gent were then reduced to ten-men when Plastun was shown a straight red card, but managed to go in at the break level. Early in the second half the man who was brought on to fill the hole left in the defence was then sent-off himself, as Rosted was also shown a straight red card. Oostende then had Nkaka sent-off for two bookable offences, and in the seventy-sixth minute the nine-men of Gent edged themselves in front via a goal from Bronn. However, Oostende responded well to going behind and levelled the tie at two goals apiece through defender De Bock.

After both clubs last results it’s hardly surprising to know that we are backing both teams to score in Sunday’s game, but that’s not our only reason. Five of the last six matches played between these two clubs have seen both teams score, with Gent winning three, Kortrijk one, and two games ending in stalemate. Three of the hosts and four of the visitors last five matches have also witnessed both teams score, which suggests that a clean sheet for either side seems highly unlikely this weekend. Gent’s good form, four wins, one draw, and one defeat from their last six matches, makes us believe they will take all three points from their trip to the Guldensporenstadion.

Mboyo and Stojanović joint top score for Kortrijk this season with seven Belgian First Division A goals, while Bronn, David, Rosted, and Yaremchuk all have five league goals apiece for Gent. The visitors are the clear form favourites heading into the game, with four wins from their last six matches, but Kortrijk will be hoping that their guests show tired legs in the second half after a testing Belgian Cup tie in midweek.

We’re confident that both teams will score on Sunday, and have backed Gent to pull off a narrow 2-1 win. The visitors have outperformed their hosts this season and have form on their side heading into Sunday’s match. Gent have only lost one of their last seven matches against Kortrijk, winning four and drawing two, and do possess more quality in their squad.