Breidablik – Gent : Preview & Prediction
Iceland’s Breiðablik managed to qualify for the group stage of a UEFA competition for the first time at their 11th attempt, but have struggled in their first Europa Conference League (UECL) campaign. After three consecutive defeats, including a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Gent the previous matchday that is tied as the worst in the club’s history in European competition, they find themselves bottom of Group B.
This latest defeat was their eighth in nine official matches (G1), in which they have conceded at least three goals in four of those games. Halldór Árnason and his men will be hoping to turn things around at home, where they have been slightly better with five wins in their last eight matches in UEFA competitions (P3), with the last three clashes ending with a 1-0 scoreline in their favor.
However, Gent’s recent performance could put that record in jeopardy as the Belgians followed up their victory in the previous meeting between them with three consecutive wins in domestic competitions, each by a score of 3-1. This performance could prove crucial in extending their unbeaten streak (G2, E1) in this UECL campaign, likely bringing them closer to a third qualification to the knockout stage in as many seasons.
The visitors are five points behind the leaders in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League title race, so advancing in Europe could serve as a morale boost. Therefore, Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s side need to maintain their away form, where two consecutive wins in official competitions halted a run of five games without a win away from home (E4, P1). The concern is that they have not fared well on their travels at European level, with Gent winning just three of their last 12 away matches in the UECL (E3, P6).
Players to watch: Höskuldur Gunnlaugsson scored a decisive goal in the UECL qualifying rounds this season, but the Breiðablik defender could be tasked with stopping Tarik Tissoudali, who is in excellent form for Gent. He has scored five goals in his last four official matches, including a first-half goal in the previous meeting between the sides, one in which he also provided an assist.
Weekend stat: Breiðablik have seen the half-time scoreline repeated at the end of the game in 12 of their last 13 matches in UEFA competitions.
Breidablik – Gent : Betting Tips
Gent – Win Odds: 2.25
