This is a derby in Belgian playoffs for the champions, and it brings us two first ranked teams on the table, although there is no real appeal because of the big points difference. Club Brugge is the first with nine points more than Gent and a victory would now already provide the championship title with no pressure at all. Gent is aware that it will be difficult to win the title even in the event of a win, but their second place that they want to keep after defeating Anderlecht in the last round. Club Brugge has been celebrated happily on their field, and both teams have celebrated domestic victories in the regular part of the season.
With a great victory, Gent started the playoffs for the Belgian champions, but it is no surprise when looking at the results of this team at the end of the regular part of the season. In the last nine rounds, they were defeated only once by Oostende at home two rounds before the end, while they finished it all with a victory in Genk.
The first round of playoffs has brought them a difficult match in Brussels against Anderlecht, and that match was very important because they in third place had three points less than their host and if they lost, it would be a big six points behind. They were set very well tactically and they used the second half of the game all the problems of their host with the team, so they finally celebrated with 2-0. Yaremchuk was absent due to injury and Bronn and Dejaeger have returned to the team, while we now do not expect any changes.
Probable lineups KAA Gent: Kalinic – Foket, Gigot, Bronn, Asare – Verstraete, Esiti, Dejaegere – Kalu, Yanga, Simon
Playoffs could not start better for the current leader on the table. And not only did they defeated the unpleasant Genk in the first round, but even the biggest rival Anderlecht was defeated and the advantage was increased to ninety-nine points, which the team of Club Brugge's quality will hardly let go. It should be said that they deserved the title, because after the regular part of the season they had 12 points advantage, which was halved due to the system of the competition. They had a series of six defeats at the end of the regular part, while they played four draws in a row and then they celebrated in the last two rounds.
They had a lot of problems with Genk in the first round of the playoffs on their field on which they were traditionally excellent and let's say they have not lost yet this season, with just two draws at the end of the championship. It seemed that they would record the third, but then reservist Refael scored in the third minute of the injury time for the victory of 1-0. Coach Leko made some changes and Vanaken, Cools, and Wesley have played instead, and now they might not change anything.
Probable lineups Club Brugge: Vermeer – Mitrović, Mechele, Denswil – Cools, Vanaken, Vormer, Nakamba, Limbombe – Diaby, Wesley
Gent is in good shape and it is certain that they have improved their confidence after defeating Anderlecht, and now they want to destroy another big rival. Club Brugge has been relieved and they would be satisfied with a draw, which is a very possible option, but we still give a slight advantage to the host.
Pick: Asian Handicap 0
Gent 1.76 - 76/100 @1XBet