KAA Gent vs Omonia Nicosia Match Analysis and Prediction

2 years ago 372

KAA Gent will have an encounter with Ominia Nicosia in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying playoff-round tie on Thursday, with both clubs having qualified for this stage as a result of winning their domestic cups last season.

Despite picking up 62 points across the course of the league season, their highest tally since finishing third in the 1999-2000 season, Gent could only reach fifth place in the Belgium Jupiler Pro League.

A 13-point improvement from Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s debut season in charge was taken to another level by winning just their fourth Belgian Cup in the club’s history, with Anderlecht beated on penalties in the final after a goalless draw after extra time.

Despite having won the Belgian top tier only once, Gent have a highly respectable record in European competitions in recent years, progressing beyond the group stage of the Europa League on two occasions since 2016.

On the other hand, Omonia Nicosia are relative amateurs on the European stage, although they have competed in the Europa League and Europa Conference League group stages in the last two seasons.

Having won the Cypriot Championship in the 2020-21 season, their domestic form took a massive downturn last time out, with the club finishing seventh in the regular season and ending up in the relegation half of the table as a result for the first time in 58 years.

It was then no surprise when former Manchester United Henning Berg was relieved of his head coaching role, with former Celtic manager Neil Lennon impressively attracted to replace him.

The former Scotland midfielder made himself a hero within two months of taking the job, as he led The Queen to their first domestic cup victory in 10 years, defeating Ethinikos Achna on penalties after a goalless draw after extra time.

KAA Gent vs Ominia Nicosia head to head

The two teams have not previously met in any competition and this will be their first meeting in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying playoff-round tie.

KAA Gent latest home form

KAA Gent have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their four most recent matches. They managed to defeat Westerlo 2-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded seven.

Gent 1-2 Sporting Charleroi 21/05/22

Gent 2-1 Midtjylland 09/07/22

Gent 2-2 SK Beveren 12/07/22

Gent 1-1 Sint-Truiden 30/07/22

Gent 2-1 Westerlo 07/08/22

KAA Gent latest away form

KAA Gent have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their six most recent matches. They defeated KV OOstende 3-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded five.

Hajduk Split 0-3 Gent 01/07/22

Aris 1-0 Gent 04/07/22

Club Brugge 1-0 Gent 17/07/22

Standard Liege 2-2 Gent 22/07/22

KV Oostende 1-3 Gent 12/08/22

Omonia Nicosia latest home form

Omonia Nicosia have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They defeated MEAP Nisou 3-0 in their last home game in a friendly. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded three.

Omonia Nicosia 2-1 PAS Giannina 23/07/22

Omonia Nicosia 2-0 Hapoel Jerusalem 26/07/22

Omonia Nicosia 2-0 Anorthosis 30/07/22

Omonia Nicosia 0-2 AEK Athens 05/08/22

Omonia Nicosia 3-0 MEAP Nisou 06/08/22

Ominia Nicosia latest away form

Omonia Nicosia lost 2-0 to Apollon Limassol in their last away game in the Super Cup. However, they have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their previous four matches. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded four.

Ethinikos Achna 0-0 Omonia Nicosia 20/04/22

Anorthosis 0-2 Omonia Nicosia 26/04/22

Doxa 0-2 Omonia Nicosia 01/05/22

PAEEK 2-5 Omonia Nicosia 14/05/22

Apollon 2-0 Omonia Nicosia 12/08/22

KAA Gent news

KAA Gent will remain without midfielders Tarik Tissoudali, Elisha Owusu and Julien de Sart, who will face significantly more time on the sidelines through injuries.

Vanhaezebrouck could name the same XI which defeated SV Oostende 3-1 away from home on Friday, with Laurent Depoitre settling for a spot on the bench.

Omonia Nicosia news

Omonia Nicosia do not appear to have any injury issues that may limit Lennon’s selection options for this first-leg tie.

Thursday’s visitors were beaten 2-0 by Apollon Limassol in their first competitive game of the season, but he may choose the same players to go again and bounce back from the Super Cup defeat.

Prediction and Odds

KAA Gent are four competitive games ahead as compared to their fourthcoming opponents, which could make a huge difference in determining the outcome.

Omonia Nicosia have consistently punched above their weight in Europe in recent years, but a lack of match fitness could see them go down to a defeat.

Odds: 1 1.88 X 2.00 2 2.15