Gent take on the visitors Omonia in the first leg of UEFA Europa League qualification finals. The match will be played on Thursday, August 18th at Ghelamco Arena (Gent).
Gent is the current winner of the national cup. The "Buffalos" in the last draw of the Jupiler League lost ground. If a year earlier they were the vice-champion of Belgium, then in the spring they finished only 5th. But still, the season turned out to be quite successful for the team, because this decline was compensated by winning the cup - this is already the 4th such trophy in history. Hein Vanhasebroek's wards are starting in European competition only now. But they have already managed to lose in the country's Super Cup - there Brugge won minimally at home. Relatively well, with an unbeaten streak, Gent started in the Jupiler League. But, perhaps, the current match will be a priority for them.
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Omonia are just starting a new season. The "Queen" in 2021 became the champion of Cyprus, after a pause that lasted more than a decade. But after that, a deep recession followed. Even Neil Lennon, who came in the spring, was able to finish with his new wards only in 7th place. But at the same time, it turned out to compensate (like Gent) with success in the cup. This trophy allowed to keep the pass to European competitions. Moreover, the Cypriots, like the opponent, start from the decisive round. And before that, they run the squad in friendly matches - the island is in no hurry to start a new season. Fortunately, the team has not changed much. But there are also interesting footballers among the newcomers. For example, Roman Bezus, who recently played just for Gent, and can make his debut just against his recent friends. Sheriff's left winger Bruno and Partizan's center back Miletic have also been signed.
Ghent and Omonia are well rated at the national level. But still, they do not play regularly in European competitions and not always successfully. So it is not surprising that this will be their debut head-to-head match. Gent has already managed to get game practice, while Omonia will be playing their first match of the season. they will try to go on the defensive, but betting on the hosts with a handicap of "-1.5 goals" suggests itself.
Prediction for the match: Gent to win with -1.5 handicap.
