Gent vs Club Brugge
22nd December 1330hrs
Football – Belgium – First Division A
Pick Club Brugge
Bookmaker Marathonbet
Odds: 33/25 odds taken 1000 GMT, Saturday 21 December)
Gent host leaders Club Brugge on Sunday looking to them at the top of the table. Brugge have been excellent for the most part of the season so far and are eight points clear with a game in hand.
Belgian Jupiler Betting at Marathonbet
Gent vs Club Brugge Live Stats & Betting Odds
Gent Preview – Can Gent continue their excellent home record and inflict what would be just a second defeat on the leaders?
It was a distant fifth place finish for Gent last season and defeated in the final of the Belgian Cup. But, due to Mecehlen being banned from European competition, Gent gained one of the Europa League qualification berths and they have taken full advantage of that. Jess Thorup has led his team to top place in their group and they will now face a glamour tie with Roma in the last-32. That awaits them in February but concentration now is on continuing what has been a positive league campaign to date. Gent find themselves in third spot, but are 10 points behind Club Brugge having played a game more. It’s very congested from second to seventh with only six points between those clubs. That means Gent know they must keep on picking up points – especially against the top teams.
Gent have been one of the entertainers in the league so far. Games involving them average 3.16 goals which is the second highest in First Division A. But it’s been their home form which has been their biggest strength. Nine games played at home and they won eight of them, drawing the other. In that span they have scored 24 goals and conceded only five. Antwerp, who are a couple of points ahead of them, are the only visiting team to have left with anything domestically.
Club Brugge Preview – Will Club Brugge show their class to record a fifth straight win and their eighth in nine away games?
Having narrowly missed out on winning the title last season, it appears that Club Brugge are looking to leave nothing to chance this time around. Already eight points clear with a game in hand. the leaders have been excellent losing just one game from their first 18. That defeat came against Antwerp just over a month ago. It’s been their only blip on the road having reeled off seven wins from their eight away games in the league. It’s the key reason as to why they sit atop of the table and by far the best away record in the league. A visit to Gent who have been so strong at home will be another big test but on the evidence we have seen it’s one they will relish.
Club Brugge may be top scorers but it’s their defensive record which is most impressive. Significant investment was made in shoring things up at the back including the signing of Simon Mignolet. That investment looks to have been well spent as they have allowed only seven goals in their 18 games so far. That sort of record indicates that they are going to be able to sustain this level of form and are likely going to be comfortable winners of the league title.
Key-Facts – Gent vs Club Brugge
- Gent are in third place at the moment thanks in main to an unbeaten home record which has seen them win eight and draw one
- Club Brugge are already looking like champions-elect with an eight point lead at the top and have won seven of their eight away games
- The leaders have won the last three meetings against Gent with an aggregate score of 8-0
