Gent v AEK Larnaca
Thursday 15th August 1930hrs
Football – Europe – Europa League
Pick Draw
Bookmaker Betway
Odds: 100/30 (odds taken 21.00 GMT, Wednesday 14 August)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/20 | 63/20 | 97/20 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on August 14, 2019 at 22.00)
This Europa League tie is on a knife edge following a 1-1 draw in Cyrpus last week between Gent and AEK Larnaca. It may well be another very close encounter as the teams battle it out for a place in the playoff round.
Europa League Qualification Betting at Betway
Gent Preview – Can Belgians make home advantage count and continue their European journey?
Gent are looking to make it through to the group stage of this competition for the first time since 2016. One that occasion they made it all the way to the last 16 which ranks as one of their most significant achievements in Europe. An exit in this round in 2017 and the playoff stage a year later means they will be even more determined to reach the group stage this time around. A draw against AEK Larnaca was always going to be a dangerous proposition and Gent have managed to negotiate the first step well enough. A 1-1 draw last week could have been even better had they not conceded in the final minutes. Still, they would have taken that results beforehand.
It’s been a somewhat inconsistent start to their league campaign with a win, a defeat and a draw from their first three games. Their two home games this season indicate how prolific they are, though, scoring 12 goals. They have conceded four, however, including three in the previous round.
AEK Larnaca Preview – Are Cypriots capable of producing another big away performance to qualify?
There are two ways of looking at the first leg result for AEK Larnaca. The Cypriots would have been hopeful and perhaps confident of making home advantage count so to only get a draw would have been disappointing. However, in the context of the game and to get the goal in the closing minutes means they come into this return game in a more positive mindset. Their form in the qualifiers so far has been excellent with four straight wins and achieving them without conceding a goal. Aggregate wins of 2-0 against Petrocub and 7-0 over Levski Sofia set them up perfectly for this tie. It will also give them confidence they can find the result they need to progress.
The Cypriots are attempting to repeat what was a fantastic Europa League campaign last season. Having started in the first qualifying round they made it all the way to the group stage. Finishing third in their section. It would be foolish to write them off just yet.
Key-Facts – Gent v AEK Larnaca
- Gent hold a slight advantage in this tie having secured a crucial away goal in last week’s first leg draw
- AEK Larnaca have been excellent so far in qualifying and have won both away games without conceding a goal
- The winners of this tie will face either Aberdeen or Rijeka, with the Croats holding a 2-0 lead ahead of their second leg
Gent v AEK Larnaca Betting Advice
The first leg was a very evenly contested game between two good sides and there’s every indication that this return game will follow suit. Gent have the firepower to blow teams away at home but it would seem unlikely that the visitors are going to be as vulnerable in defence. The Cypriots have conceded more than one goal just once in their last eight Europa League games.
There was nothing to choose between them a week ago and I’m banking on that being the case in this game. There are a number of ways you can play this but I like draw. This could be a tie that goes all the way to extra time and penalties which also makes under 2.5 goals.
