West Ham United vs Gent verdict, predicted score, key stats and suggested bets
- Matty Briggs
- 19 April 2023
West Ham will look to impose themselves on home soil as they bid to finish the job against Gent and reach the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League.
The Hammers drew 1-1 against Gent in the first leg last Thursday and will be confident of winning this quarter-final second leg clash to progress to the next round of the Europa Conference League.
Date, KO time and TV coverage
Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg, Thursday, April 20, Kick-off 8pm, live on BT Sport 2
Predicted score
Suggested bets
West Ham to beat Gent
West Ham vs Gent - BTTS
West Ham vs Gent - Over 2.5 goals
Key stats
Gent have drawn their last three games 1-1.
Gent have scored 16 goals in their last four away games.
West Ham have had eight competitive meetings against Belgian opponents, winning four and losing just once.
West Ham have lost just once in their last eight games in all competitions.
Team news
Angelo Ogbonna serves a one-match ban so Kurt Zouma should return to the West Ham XI.
Lucas Paqueta could get the nod in midfield while Alphonse Areola will return in goal.
Gent made a whole host of changes at the weekend with a view to fielding a similar team to the one that played in the first leg. Gift Orban and Malick Fofana should both return.
Verdict
West Ham will have breathed a sigh of relief after leaving Belgium with a 1-1 scoreline in the first leg. The hosts were bang in form and West Ham were forced to withstand plenty of pressure before escaping with a draw.
Gent have since drawn again, although they made changes for the weekend's match at Mechelen. They will be more dynamic in London and with a chance to topple a Premier League club in their own backyard, expect them to be competitive.
However, the Jupiler League is far inferior to England's top flight and with Gent sitting in fourth and with nine defeats to their name, West Ham should not be too fearful.
The bookies have West Ham as favourites to win the tournament and so the 4/7 about a home win is probably about right. However, David Moyes' men may have to rely on the fans to get them going against a side they should breeze past on paper.
It took the Hammers a while to jump into action after finding themselves 2-0 down against Arsenal so don't rule out them needing another shock against Hein Vanhaezebrouck's men.
Gent do have a decent record of scoring away from home with 16 goals scored in their last four away games. They showed enough in the first leg to suggest they can cause West Ham some problems, but if the hosts can get the crowd with them then they should have enough quality to get past Gent. There could even be a few goals too.
