Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Gent prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-12-13 20:00.
Top spot and an automatic place in the round of 16 available are still up for grabs in UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) Group B, as the guaranteed top-two Maccabi Tel Aviv and Gent clash in the final round of games. The TSC Arena in BaÄka Topola plays host to this clash due to the ongoing conflict involving Israel, but only victory will be enough to see Maccabi win the group, a tough task against the only side theyâve lost against in this cycle.
The âhostsâ didnât seem to lose any traditional home advantage in their only UECL game here so far as they extended their perfect winning European home record this season to five games with a 3-2 win against Zorya. Keeping that record intact will require a historic night for the Israelis, as they have never beaten Belgian opponents in club history (L3), conceding exactly two goals per match on average across those defeats.
As for the visitors, Gent must simply avoid defeat to dodge a Europa League calibre side in the UECL knockout round play-off. Youâd have to fancy the Belgians to do just that given theyâre yet to taste defeat in Group B (W4, D1), while a formidable away record on their continental travels so far this season (W3, D1, L1) only serves to reinforce the belief they should progress as group winners.
Hein Vanhaezebrouckâs charges also have the confidence boost from a 4-0 win in domestic league action over the weekend, a result which ended their frustrating run of three straight draws and kept them firmly in domestic title contention. Even so, Gent have not recorded back-to-back away wins in this competition across their last 13 away games (W4, D3, L6), which after winning their last UECL away game, makes ominous reading here.
Players to watch: Israelâs all-time top international scorer Eran Zahavi scored first in Maccabiâs only game here at the TSC Arena so far, making up part of his ongoing four-game scoring streak for club & country. Julien De Sart made his return to the Gent lineup over the weekend after a short absence as he scored his third goal across his last five appearances, all of which came from the penalty spot.
Hot stat: Nine of Gentâs last ten UECL away games saw both teams score.