Anderlecht vs AA Gent
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Today’s secondary featured game is the heavyweight clash in the Eerste Klasse between Anderlecht and AA Gent.
Although the table shows the two sides to be similar in levels of ability, I still rate Anderlecht as a much better side than Gent. The end of the season should reflect that too, really. Anderlecht have already won eight out of ten at home this season, drawing the other two games, whilst averaging scoring nearly three goals per home game. Jacobs has virtually a full squad to choose from too, which helps, as only long-term absentees Vargas and Molins are out tonight. Just look at the options Jacobs has at his disposal to tear into Gent – Suarez, Mbokani, Jovanovic, de Sutter, Canesin, Biglia etc. etc. – the list goes on. Jacobs has spent the money raised by Lukaku’s sale very wisely indeed by recruiting ex-Standard de Liege hitmen Jovanovic and Mbokani as both are very experienced in this tournament and look great up front for Anderlecht. Anderlecht are in good form ahead of this game too – they’ve drubbed bitter rivals Club Brugge 3-0 before travelling to enthusiastic Kortrijk and securing a 0-1 win, which was Kortrijk’s first home defeat of the season. All things look good in the Anderlecht camp right now and I fancy them to exemplify that on the field tonight.
Unlike their hosts, not all is well in the Gent camp. Pressure is mounting on Sollied as Gent continue to under-perform since returning from the winter break. They embarassingly lost at Lierse SK before drawing 3-3 at home against goal-shy Lokeren in the Belgian Cup to crash out of that competition. Those two displays were bad enough but to then see how bad they were in their 0-0 draw with Zulte-Waregem at weekend was quite scary as they look a shadow of the side that they were earlier this season. They’re playing with their heads down, not creating enough chances, and are defending like schoolboys. They’ve got some notable absentees tonight, too – experienced Tim Smolders from midfield is out, pacey Slovenian attacker Ljubljankic is out, and essential midfielder Thijs is a big doubt for this game. Problems are mounting for Sollied and this game against title rivals Anderlecht could not be worse-timed, in my view.
To make matters worse for Gent, they’ve had a horrendous record against Anderlecht for a few years now, losing six out of their last seven meetings with Anderlecht, drawing the other game. Anderlecht are more than capable of stuffing any side in Belgium when playing at home and when taking the above into account, the home win with a -1 Asian Handicap looks very tempting at 11/10.
Verdict: Anderlecht to win with a -1 Asian Handicap at 11/10.
Tuesday’s Picks
As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!
African Nations:
Ghana vs Botswana (7) 1-0
Mali vs Guinea (5) 0-1
Copa Libertadores:
Arsenal de Sarandi vs Sport Huancayo (7) 2-0
El Nacional Quito vs Libertad Asuncion (5) 1-0
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
Anderlecht vs AA Gent (7) over 2.5 goals
English League Cup:
Cardiff City vs Crystal Palace (7) 1-0
Scottish Premier League:
Motherwell vs Dunfermline Athletic (7) over 2.5 goals
Turkish Super Lig:
Manisaspor vs Samsunspor (5) 1-1
Sivasspor vs Antalyaspor (7) 2-1
Mersin Idmanyurdu vs Kayserispor (4) 1-1
Besiktas JK vs Gaziantepspor (7) 2-0
Enjoy your free betting tips!