Gent vs Hibernian Predictions
Gent host Hibernian in the first leg of their Conference League qualification playoff on Thursday.
While the Belgians are favourites, Hibernian have the experience to make this an interesting night at Planet Group Arena.
I fancy the visitors to win or draw, while I also have a stake on under 2.5 goals scored.
Hibernian Tipped to Test Gent
- Gent failed to win 8 of their last 9 home matches (competitive fixtures)
- Gent have seen under 2.5 goals in 13 of their last 15 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Hibernian are unbeaten in 5 of their last 6 matches
- Hibernian are unbeaten in 4 of their last 5 away matches (European competitions)
- Hibernian have seen under 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 5 away matches (European competitions)
Gent and Hibernian Set For First Competitive Meeting
This will be the first competitive meeting between Gent and Hibernian.
Gent Extend Unbeaten Start
Gent return to Planet Group Arena after a hard-fought 2-1 Belgian Pro League victory against RAAL La Louviere on Sunday.
Rik De Mil’s side fell 1-0 down before Momodou Sonko equalised. Ibrahima Cisse completed the turnaround immediately after the interval.
The Buffalos have collected six points from their opening two league fixtures, having picked up a 2-0 win against Mechelen on the first day of the season.
While unbeaten in four Conference League qualifiers this season, three of those fixtures finished level. Only three goals were scored in those matches.
De Mil’s men booked their place in the playoff round with a 2-1 aggregate success against IFK Goteborg. Gent earned a narrow 1-0 win in Sweden before drawing 1-1 at Planet Group Arena.
A poor recent home record will give the hosts something to ponder on Thursday. Gent have won just one of nine games played at this venue since March.
Hibernian Maintain Solid Form
Hibernian travel to Belgium after securing a narrow 1-0 League Cup victory against Partick Thistle last weekend. Owen Elding’s early goal proved the difference as the Hibees secured their place in the last eight.
David Gray’s improving side are now unbeaten in their last four competitive fixtures, while they have lost just one of six games played this summer.
The Hibees reached the Conference League playoff round with a disciplined goalless draw against Shkendija in North Macedonia, helping to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Hibernian had required a dramatic comeback in the previous round after suffering a shock 2-0 first-leg defeat against Malisheva. A dominant 4-1 victory at Easter Road rescued the tie.
Gray’s men performed well on their European travels last season. Hibs picked up away draws against Legia Warsaw and Midtjylland as well as a 2-0 win against Partizan Belgrade.
Gent vs Hibernian Team News
Gent: (4-4-2) Davy Roef; Mouhamed Ngom, Christian Burgess, Siebe Van Der Heyden, Tiago Araujo; Matties Volckaert, Tibe De Vlieger, Mathias Delorge, Laszlo Benes; Josue Vergara, Hyllarion Goore.
Head coach De Mil has two confirmed injury absentees this week. Abdoul Ayinde and Matisse Samoise are expected to remain unavailable for Gent.
Laszlo Benes and Mathias Delorge are in contention for recalls after second-half substitute appearances last weekend.
Sonko and Cisse should retain their places after scoring against La Louviere.
Hibernian: (4-3-3) Raphael Sallinger; Felix Passlack, Jason Kerr, Warren O’Hora, Jordan Obita; Josh Mulligan, Miguel Chaiwa, Adam Mayor; Owen Elding, Callum Wright, Nathan Lowe.
David Gray is likely to make several changes from the side that edged past Partick last weekend.
Felix Passlack, Martin Boyle and Josh Campbell are among those expected to earn recalls on Thursday.
Rocky Bushiri remains unavailable because of an Achilles injury.
Speaking to the media this week, Gray discussed his experienvce of Belgian football, having joined Royal Antwerp on loan from Manchester United as a young defender.
“I think I went over during the winter break, the start of November or something like that," he recalled. "I was like a month over there before the games actually started – and then in the second game I did my cruciate. And that was pretty much my Belgian career done, if I'm being honest!”