Ahead of the new Belgian Pro League campaign, Westerlo will host Gent at Het Kuipje on Friday in a pre-season friendly with kickoff at 12:30 pm.
Last season, Westerlo secured promotion to the top flight despite a shaky conclusion to their campaign. After a poor 2020-21 campaign that saw them finish nine points behind the playoff spots, the Kemphanen appointed Jonas De Roeck. He led them to their highest points tally in the league in eight years and helped them reach their goal of getting back into the top flight.
The Westerlo football club is already in preseason training. Last weekend, they beat the City Pirates 11-0 in a friendly match. Westerlo also has other friendly clashes scheduled this summer, including a trip to the Netherlands, where they will face AZ Alkmaar next month.
Gent’s major highlight of the 2021-22 campaign was their Belgian Cup triumph. After beating Anderlecht on penalties following a goalless draw in regulation time, they became the first team from outside the top division to win the tournament since 2011-12. Gent struggled in the league, failing to qualify for the Championship Round for a second straight season.
The Buffalo will hope for a stronger campaign next season and will begin their preparations with Friday’s game against Hadjuk Split, followed by a match against Midtjylland.
Westerlo vs Gent Head to Head
Both sides have 32 games against each other with hosts taking nine wins while visitors taking 14 wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Westerlo 2-2 Molenbeek
- Royal Excel 2-6 Westerlo
- Lommel SK 2-1 Westerlo
- Westerlo 2-0 Lierse
- Lierse 1-0 Westerlo
Away
- KAA Gent 1-2 Sporting Charleroi
- KRC Genk 0-2 Gent
- Mechelen 1-2 Gent
- Gent 1-0 Mechelen
- Sporting Charleroi 1-3 KAA Gent
KVC Westerlo Team News
The Westerlo campaign ended with just two wins in their last six games. The team has shown solidity on home turf in recent seasons, though, going undefeated in their last four home games while losing just one league game at the Het Kuipje all season.
KAA Gent Team News
Gent have picked up five wins in their last six matches, while they have lost just two of their last ten. They haven’t lost a domestic away game all year and should come out on top on Friday.
Prediction and Odds
Given the recent form in the league, we expect a clean swoop for the hosts.
- Away Win
- Goals Over 2.5
- First Half: 0-0
