Zulte-Waregem vs AA Gent
FreeToday’s featured game is the Eerste Klasse game between Zulte-Waregem and AA Gent. Both sides have had pretty good campaigns and we’ll hopefully see a good game between these two sides tonight as a result.
Zulte-Waregem could welcome back striker N’for following his recovery from concussion, which is a boost for the hosts as he’s a real handful on his day. However, the fitness of their deadly twosome Hyland and Habibou is their most important concern ahead of any game and pleasingly, both are very much fit and in good form ahead of this game. Habibou and Hyland are usually complimented by the likes of N’for, Chevalier, and Traore, and all of them have weighed in rather heavily with goals this season, hence Zulte’s pretty comfortable league placing. Zulte are actually the highest-scoring side outside of the top five in the Eerste Klasse, which tells you how well they’ve been playing. I don’t think their home record accurately reflects just how hard a side that they are to face but hopefully that’ll improve by the end of play tonight. Westerlo found it by losing here 2-0 a week or two ago and today’s opponents Gent know it too, having lost three out of their last five visits here. Indeed, the only side to win here since October was a talented and rather fortuitous Anderlecht side, emerging with a 1-2 victory earlier this month thanks to a late goal. Prior to that game, Standard de Liege were put to the sword here so you can see quite clearly that Zulte don’t really care how big a club is. It’s one thing to have respect but it’s another to battle on regardless and Zulte have that characteristic. Only a strange game against newly-promoted Eupen saw Zulte-Waregem fail to score in a home game this season, drawing 0-0. They’ve scored against everyone else and that list includes Club Brugge, Anderlecht, and Standard de Liege so don’t treat the hosts lightly here – they’re a very difficult side to face.
AA Gent not only have a difficult game today but they’ve also got to deal with Zulte-Waregem in the knowledge that their rivals Club Brugge got one over on them in their last game, winning 0-2 despite Gent dominating the game and Brugge barely creating more than a few chances. That in itself must be particularly galling for Gent and it’ll be interesting to see how they deal with that today. Gent have won five times out of nine Eerste Klasse away games this season so they’re certainly capable on the road and you’d have to expect them to be with an arsenal of attacking wealth avaialble to them in Arbeitman, Ljubljankic, Coulibaly, and De Smet. I’d include emerging youngster El Ghanassy as he features more than any of them but he misses this game today through injury – it’ll be interesting to see how Gent deal without him as although I don’t personally view him as their best striker, it cannot be denied that they field him more than any other so there will be a noticeable absence for the visitors today. Worryingly for Gent, they’re not only missing an important striker but an experienced midfielder (Thijs) and important defender (Thompson), all three of which start on a regular basis so Gent may find it harder than they initially expected to bounce back from defeat against Club Brugge.
In my eyes, Gent are going to have to score twice to have a chance of winning this game and I’m just not convinced that they can do it today. I’d not dare suggest that they’re not capable of doing so because they certainly are with their impressive attack. However, a demoralising loss in their last game against rivals and a few key absences make me doubt Gent in this game, especially against a good unit like Zulte-Waregem. The hosts themselves miss D’Haene, who is an important defender for them, but given that he’s their only important absence, I find it easier to place my faith in them for this game, particularly on the back of a good 2-0 win against Westerlo. Gent may be tired after just a few days rest; Zulte-Waregem have had plenty of time to prepare for this game. With the above in mind, as well as Zulte-Waregem’s strong presence at home, 41/20 looks far too long for a home win so I’ll capitalise on that by calling a home win with draw no bet cover at 6/5 as I don’t envision the hosts losing this one today.
Team news – Zulte-Waregem miss D’Haene, Roelandts, Jonckheere, and Mareval whereas Gent miss Thijs, Thompson, and El Ghanassy.
Verdict: Zulte-Waregem to win with draw no bet at 6/5 – why not bet on this game now at Bwin?
Thursday’s Picks
My tips:
Nothing else interets me today – sorry guys! Feel free to check below for my thoughts on the remainder of today’s games.
International Friendly:
Syria vs South Korea (7) 0-1
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
Zulte-Waregem vs AA Gent (5) 2-1, draw no bet
Lokeren vs Racing Genk (6) 2-1, draw no bet
Enjoy your free betting tips!