Gent have drawn their last four matches in the Belgian First Division. On Sunday, the Buffaloes will host Royal Antwerp in a First Division top-five clash.
Royal Antwerp are third in the First Division standings ahead of Sunday’s game. Ten points separate Royal Antwerp and first-place Saint-Gilloise in the race for the title. As it stands, the title is Saint-Gilloise's to lose.
⏮ KAA Gent 🆚 KV Oostende: 1-1. Next: KAA Gent - Royal Antwerp mét onze twaalfde man. #GNTKVO #GNTANT #JPL MEER | https://t.co/yMe9keFunC pic.twitter.com/yQ1abgLgcK— KAA Gent (@KAAGent) January 26, 2022
⏮ KAA Gent 🆚 KV Oostende: 1-1. Next: KAA Gent - Royal Antwerp mét onze twaalfde man. #GNTKVO #GNTANT #JPL MEER | https://t.co/yMe9keFunC pic.twitter.com/yQ1abgLgcK
The Reds can keep up the pressure on Saint-Gilloise with a win against Gent. Saint-Gilloise will play fourth-place Anderlecht this weekend in a difficult game. A slip up could open the door for Royal Antwerp.
Gent are unbeaten in five straight games, but the team drew each of their last four matches. The Buffaloes picked up seven points from the last 18 points available in the division. They scored eight goals and conceded eight times.
Royal Antwerp, on the other hand, collected 11 points from the last 18 points available in the First Division. The Reds are undefeated in five straight games in the league.
The last five games between the First Division rivals ended without a defeat for Royal Antwerp in all competitions.
The Reds claimed a win when these teams met earlier this season in the First Division thanks to a second half goal from Michael Frey. Gent had Giorgi Chakvetadze sent off in the first half.
Antwerp coach Brian Priske has several players on the injured and absent list ahead of Sunday’s clash. Forwards Benson Manuel and Viktor Fischer are both expected to miss the game due to injuries.
Defenders Abdoulaye Seck is ruled out due to being at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal but Aurelio Buta is back in training and could play. Forward Bruny Nsimba and Sander Coopman are both doubts to make the team due to injuries.
Three Gent players are to miss the game due to Africa Cup of Nations responsibilities. Ngadeu Ngadjui, Sulayman Marreh, and Tarik Tissoudali are away at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. Forward Laurent Depoitre tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss out.
Royal Antwerp forward Michael Frey leads the Belgian First Division in goals scored with 18. He has contributed to 42% of the Reds’ goals in 2021-22. Frey scored the only goal in the Reds’ 1-0 win over Gent earlier this season.
Both teams go into the game on Sunday unbeaten in five straight games. There won’t be much to separate the sides as Gent pick up and fifth straight draw at the expense of Royal Antwerp. Expect under 2.5 goals as both teams find the back of the net.