Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Belgian Pro League match.
Last weekend, Union Saint-Gilloise let a victory slip against Club Brugge (2:2), allowing Gent to surpass them in the standings. Gent have not been particularly prolific in attack in recent rounds, so their primary objective at home will be to keep their main competitor behind them.
Gent
A hard-fought victory over Standard Liège (1:0) extended Gent's unbeaten run to four wins. In Liège, the coaching staff benefitted from substitutions, with Franck Surdez coming off the bench to score the winner at the very end, although the team struggled with finishing (1.63 xG and nine shots on target). On the other hand, the defensive partnership of Tsuyoshi Watanabe and Jordan Torunarigha often saves them, resulting in only seven goals conceded in nine home matches (the third-best defence in the league).
Union Saint-Gilloise
Union Saint-Gilloise do not boast one of the best attacks in the Belgian Pro League, having scored just 25 goals in 19 matches (eighth-best). Against Club Brugge, they squandered a two-goal lead, and they have yet to secure an away win (seven draws and two defeats). It seems that Union Saint-Gilloise will face recurring issues on the road, where they often play the role of underdogs.
Gent vs Union Saint-Gilloise Prediction
In the Belgian Pro League, Gent and Union Saint-Gilloise have had four consecutive head-to-head matches with a total under 2.5. The packed schedule will likely sap the teams' energy, leading us to anticipate a solid total under.
