Kortrijk play host to Conference League qualifiers Gent in their first game back in Belgium First Division A on Sunday and we're bringing you our predictions for the game.
Sunday's hosts remained in Belgium's top flight thanks to a 5-2 aggregate victory over Lommel, while Gent earned European football thanks to a 1-0 win over Genk in the European play-off.
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Kortrijk vs Gent prediction: Goals expected at the Guldensporenstadion
Key Stats
- Gent claimed 12 wins in the First Division A last season as well as another eight wins in ten matches on their way to the Europe play-off final.
- Each of Kortrijk's last five fixtures have produced over 2.5 goals.
- Gent claimed a 4-1 victory over Vikingur in the Conference League qualifiers in midweek.
Correct score prediction: Kortrijk 1-3 Gent
Only five teams scored more goals in the First Division A than Gent last season but the visitors haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last four matches, which is why we're backing a 3-1 away win this weekend.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Gent the clear favourite
- HOME: 22/5 (5.40) – 18.5%
- DRAW: 10/3 (4.33) – 23.1%
- AWAY: 8/13 (1.62) – 61.9%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Gent are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 61.9%, and we can't argue with the bookmakers on this one.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Gent dominate
Sunday's visitors have claimed four wins and one draw from their last five encounters with Kortrijk, running out 2-0 winners at the Guldensporenstadion when these two teams last locked horns back in December 2023.
Belgium First Division A 26/12/23
KV Kortrijk
Gent
Belgium First Division A 30/07/23
Gent
KV Kortrijk
Belgium First Division A 15/01/23
Gent
KV Kortrijk
Belgium First Division A 13/11/22
KV Kortrijk
Gent
Belgium First Division A 14/01/22
Gent
KV Kortrijk
Kortrijk preview: Just survived last season
Kortrijk came through the Promotion/Relegation play-off to book their place back in the First Division A this season.
Kortrijk won both legs against Lommel with an aggregate scoreline of 5-2 and their aim for the upcoming campaign has to be avoiding a relegation battle.
However, goals were a big issue for Kortrijk last season, scoring just 22 times in their opening 30 league games
Predicted lineup: Pirard (GK), Silva, Fujii, Alebiosu, Mehssatou, Sissako, Challouk, Kadri, Afolabi, El Idrissy & Fossum
Belgium First Division A 29/09/24
L
Union Saint Gilloise
3
KV Kortrijk
0
Belgium First Division A 22/09/24
D
OH Leuven
1
KV Kortrijk
1
Belgium First Division A 14/09/24
L
Club Brugge
3
KV Kortrijk
0
Belgium First Division A 01/09/24
D
Sint-Truidense
1
KV Kortrijk
1
Belgium First Division A 25/08/24
L
Charleroi
1
KV Kortrijk
0
Gent preview: Aiming for more European football
Gent are currently in the process of qualifying for the Conference League proper, taking a step closer to the group stage in midweek thanks to a 4-1 victory over Vikigur.
Gent earned their spot in the Conference League qualifiers by beating Genk 1-0 in the Europe play-off last season, despite Genk finishing above them in the First Division A table.
Moroccan forward Tarik Tissoudali was the standout player for Gent last season and it will be interesting to see if the club can keep a hold on their prized asset.
Predicted lineup: Roef (GK), Mitrović, Fortuna, Fadiga, Watanabe, Kums, De Sart, Hong, Guðjohnsen, Yokota & Surdez
UEFA Conference League 03/10/24
L
Chelsea
4
Gent
2
Belgium First Division A 29/09/24
W
OH Leuven
0
Gent
3
Belgium First Division A 26/09/24
L
Cercle Brugge
2
Gent
1
Belgium First Division A 22/09/24
W
Club Brugge
2
Gent
4
Belgium First Division A 15/09/24
W
KV Mechelen
0
Gent
2
Player to watch – Tarik Tissoudali
Tissoudali is about to undergo his fifth campaign with Gent after making the move from fellow Belgian side Beerschot in 2021.
The 31-year-old has struggled with injuries during his time at Gent but when he has managed to complete a full season, the goals have flowed.
The Moroccan scored 15 times in the league last season
Tissoudali scored 21 times in 34 league games during the 2021/22 campaign and netted 15 times in 35 games last season, while his first season with the club yielded five goals from 14 appearances and the 2022/23 campaign produced just two goals from 12 games.
