Standard Liege vs Gent
21 July 1945hrs
Football – Belgium – First Division A
Pick Basel to win both halves
Bookmaker Boylesports
Odds: 5/6 odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 21 July
The Belgian top-flight returns this weekend and first up sees Standard Liege take on Gent as both teams attempt to get their campaigns off to a winning start.
Table of Contents
Standard Liege Preview – Can Standard mark Ronny Deila’s first game in charge with a home win?
Having finished third as recently as 2019, all concerned at Standard Liege would have been extremely frustrated at their showing last season, which seen them finish in 14th spot, and far too close to the bottom of the table for their liking. The response to that dismal season which seen them lose 16 of their 34 matches and score just 32 goals, was to bring in a coach who has won titles in three different countries.
Ronny Deila has had success in his native Norway, Scotland and more recently in the MLS with previous club New York City FC. He has taken advantage of the opportunity to return to Europe and will be hoping to turn round the fortunes of Standard.
Gent Preview – Will Gent pick up where they left off last season as they look for another productive campaign?
Gent’s season began last weekend when facing Club Brugge in the Belgian Super Cup. Their participation in that season-opening game was down to winning the domestic cup last season. That was their fourth success in the competition and the first trophy for Hein Vanhaezebrouck since returning a couple of years ago – he remains the only coach to have won a league title for the club.
A similar title success may be some way off for this current group but there is little doubt they are heading in the right direction and have Europa League football to look forward to.
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Gent finished fifth overall in the league which seen them narrowly miss out qualifying for European competition via that route, and it is probably a target to improve on that this time around. To help them achieve that, Hugo Cuypers has been brought in from Mechlen for a considerable fee – he notched 13 in the league for a team who finished just behind his new club.
He will provide more firepower to an already dynamic attack, which includes last season’s top scorer Tarik Tissoudali. The Moroccan scored 21 goals in the top-flight in what was a career-best season for him personally.
Standard Liege vs Gent Betting Advice
The new season and first league match back always brings optimism but it’s fair to say that it applies more to one of these teams than the other. Standard may have a new manager in place but their problems still remain and it does appear to be another challenge campaign on the horizon. For the visitors, the new signings will add further energy and enthusiasm into what was a successful squad as they hope to continue to build.
Gent will also take a lot of encouragement from their recent meetings with this rival, winning their last four – three of which were last season.
Key Facts – Standard Liege vs Gent Betting Tip
- Ronny Deila has taken charge of Standard Liege in the summer following a very disappointing season last time out
- Gent finished fifth last season but did win the Belgian Cup and will compete in this year’s Europa League
- The visitors have won the last four meetings between the two clubs
I’m taking them to extend that run here to five and get their season going in the right direction, while at the same time heaping more misery on their hosts.
Best Betting Odds for Standard Liege vs Gent
