Gent vs Tottenham
UEFA Europa League – Round of 32, 1st leg
Date: Thursday, 16th February 2017
Kick-Off at 18:00 UK / 19:00 CET
Venue: Ghelamco Arena, Ghent.
On February 16th, K.A.A Gent will host Tottenham at the Ghelamco Arena. After a disappointing loss away to Liverpool, Tottenham will travel again this time to Belgium in the Europa League round of 32.
Gent currently sit eighth in the Belgian Pro League, 12 points off of leaders Anderlecht. Gent have won only two of their last 10 league matches, and haven’t won a league match while conceding a goal since September 24th. In the group stages of the Europa League the Belgian side lost both their matches against Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, drew both their matches against Porteguese side S.C. Braga, and won both their matches against Turkish side Konyaspor.
With a chance to close the gap at the top of the table on Chelsea, Tottenham suffered a deserved 2-0 loss to Liverpool. The north London side was totally outplayed on the night and blew their chance to stay in the Premier League title race. Now they’ll go into the Europa League, a competition they hope they can avoid next season with a top four finish. Winning the competition does guarantee a spot in the Champions League though, so Tottenham will look to progress.
Team News – Gent
The hosts arrive eighth in the Belgian First Division A, with an uninspiring record of 11 wins, seven draws and eight defeats. They have managed to win just two of their last 10 league starts, against Charleroi and Club Brugge, but four defeats during that miserable run is a lot more telling.
Beaten 1-0 by KAS Eupen on the weekend at this very venue, that wouldn’t have done their confidence much good in the run up to this mammoth tie. They have, in fact, failed to score a goal in each of their last two league defeats, and Gent to draw a blank again here has been priced at 11/8 with William Hill.
Gent didn’t fare too much better during the group stage either, sneaking through behind Shaktar Donetsk with an even split reading two wins, two draws and two defeats. Bookmakers don’t expect them to get any joy against the English giants and go 18/5 (bet365) to anyone wanting to have the home win in their betting tips. A draw seems just as unlikely, with 11/4 served up by Betfred.
Team News – Tottenham
Spurs drop into the competition and couldn’t have been handed many better ties to get things moving. Avoiding some of the more agonising trips across Europe, they have not got far too travel and face a side extremely low on confidence.
Spurs can be found second in the Premier League, but suffered a rare defeat at the weekend when going down 2-0 to Liverpool at Anfield. Sadio Mane scored both goals for The Reds in a result that doesn’t go as a massive upset, but very few would have had a home win in their predictions, given Liverpool’s recent form.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino spoke to the press post-match, telling of his side’s sloppy start to the match, and how that cost them dear. By the time his boys found their feet and began firing at Anfield the game was already beyond them. He will be eager to get back to winning ways at the first time of asking.
Those looking to back Tottenham to pick up an away win here will have to make do with Boylesport’s 5/6 price, as that is the best currently available. -1 goal on the handicap may offer a bit of value to confident backers, with 9/4 at Coral.
Gent vs Tottenham: Head-to-head stats
These two sides are meeting for the first time in a UEFA Competition.
Gent’s only previous English opposition is West Ham United, who they met during the 1964/65 edition of the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup . They lost the tie 2-1 on with a 1-0 defeat at home before the 1-1 draw at London.
Tottenham’s overall record against Belgian clubs is 3 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses from 8 matches. While they have done well at home winning in each of the 3 matches, Spurs are without a win in the three trips to Belgium, 1 draw and 2 losses.
Gent vs Tottenham: Prediction
This will be different Tottenham side than the one that failed miserably during the group phase of the Champions league. They had a turbulent start to the season, but now, they are looking in some excellent tough after picking up 9 wins and 2 draws in their last 12 matches.
Gent on the other hand are struggling in the domestic league and are sitting at 8th position in the league table. They had shown their weaknesses against team with quality players during the group phase. Shakhtar Donetsk scored 10 goals against them over two legs.
Tottenham are a much better side than the Ukrainians. Therefore, the Belgians are bound to struggle at large in this knock-out fixture, despite playing in front of their home fans.
Gent vs Tottenham: Bet Tips
FT – Spurs to win at 5/6 (1.83)
Over 2.5 goals at 1/1 (2.00).
