Standard Liège vs Gent Prediction, Match Preview, Friday, 23 January

Standard Liège vs Gent Prediction, Match Preview, Friday, 23 January. As we look forward to this intriguing clash in the Belgian First Division A, both teams are set to face off at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne. This match promises to be a significant encounter, with Standard Liège aiming to assert their dominance at home against a resilient Gent side.

Scheduled for Friday, 23 January, this fixture is crucial for both teams as they seek to climb the league standings. Standard Liège will be looking to leverage their home advantage at Stade Maurice Dufrasne, while Gent will be eager to secure valuable points on the road. With both teams having a history of competitive encounters, this match is poised to be a fascinating contest in the First Division A.

Standard Liège vs Gent Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
KAA Gent to Win	2.1

Considering recent form and head-to-head dominance, our recommended betting tip is to back KAA Gent to win. Gent’s impressive victory against Anderlecht and their five consecutive wins over Standard Liège give them the upper hand in this fixture.

• Standard Liège have conceded most goals in the 31-45 minute interval this season, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities.
• Gent’s recent form and healthier squad give them a significant advantage, especially with Standard Liège potentially missing key players.
• The historical data shows that more than 2.5 goals have been scored in 77% of the 13 matches between these teams in the past five seasons, pointing to an exciting game with Gent likely to come out on top.

Betting Odds

In this Belgian First Division A clash, Gent are slight favourites with odds of 2.47, but Standard Liège at 2.84 offers tempting value for those backing the home side. The draw is priced at 3.16, indicating a closely contested match at Stade Maurice Dufrasne.

Betting Tip	Odds
Standard Liège to win	2.84
Draw	3.16
Gent to win	2.47

Bettors might find opportunities in the over 2.5 goals market, given both teams’ attacking prowess. Keep an eye on the in-play odds as the match unfolds, as shifts in momentum could provide lucrative betting angles.

Standard Liège Analysis & Past Performance

Standard Liège’s recent form has been inconsistent, with a record of two wins and three losses in their last five matches. This includes a notable victory against Hertha BSC in a friendly (3-2) and a league win over FCV Dender EH (1-0), but also disappointing losses to Sporting Charleroi (0-2) and St. Truiden (1-2).

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Sporting Charleroi	Standard Liège	2 – 0 (Loss)	Jupiler Pro League	18 Jan, 2026
Hertha BSC	Standard Liège	2 – 3 (Win)	Friendly Match	9 Jan, 2026
Standard Liège	St. Truiden	1 – 2 (Loss)	Jupiler Pro League	26 Dec, 2025
FCV Dender EH	Standard Liège	0 – 1 (Win)	Jupiler Pro League	20 Dec, 2025
Standard Liège	OH Leuven	0 – 1 (Loss)	Jupiler Pro League	12 Dec, 2025

Recent Form:
In terms of performance statistics, Standard Liège has averaged 1.00 goal scored and 1.40 goals conceded per match over their last five fixtures. They’ve managed to keep just one clean sheet in this period, reflecting some defensive vulnerabilities. Their offensive efforts have seen them score in three out of five games, yet their inability to find the back of the net against stronger opponents highlights a need for greater attacking potency.

Home vs Away Performance:

• LWLWL

At home, Standard Liège has struggled to dominate, winning only two of their last five home matches. This equates to a win ratio of 40%, indicating room for improvement, particularly in front of their home fans at Stade Maurice Dufrasne. Overall, they have scored five goals and conceded seven in these encounters, underscoring the balance they need to strike between attack and defence.

Standard Liège Suspensions & Injuries

Standard Liège face a challenging fixture against Gent with several key players unavailable due to injuries and suspensions. Marlon Fossey, Hakim Sahabo, and Josué Homawoo are all doubtful with injuries, which could significantly impact the team’s tactical flexibility. The absence of these players, particularly in defensive and midfield positions, may force coach Vincent Euvrard to make strategic adjustments and rely more heavily on squad depth.

Player	Suspension	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Timothé Nkada	Red card	2	Unknown

Timothé Nkada’s suspension due to a red card leaves a gap in the attacking options for Standard Liège. With two matches remaining in his ban, the team will need to find alternative solutions up front. The absence of his pace and goal-scoring ability could lead to a reliance on players like Dennis Eckert Ayensa and Thomas Henry to step up in the attacking department.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Marlon Fossey	Hamstring Injury	Doubtful
Hakim Sahabo	Hamstring Injury	Doubtful
Josué Homawoo	Unknown	Doubtful

The collective impact of these absences might influence the betting markets, potentially favouring Gent due to Standard Liège’s weakened lineup. However, this also presents an opportunity for less frequently used players to make an impression and possibly secure a more regular place in the team moving forward.

Standard Liège Key Players

Thomas Henry stands out as the top scorer for Standard Liège with 3 goals this season. His physical presence and sharp instincts in the box make him a constant threat to any defence. Henry’s ability to convert half-chances will be crucial for Liège’s attacking prowess against Gent. Partnering Henry up front, Dennis Eckert Ayensa provides pace and versatility, often drawing defenders away and creating space for Henry to exploit.

In midfield, Casper Nielsen’s dynamic playmaking capabilities are essential for dictating the tempo and transitioning the team from defence to attack. His vision and passing accuracy can unlock defences, making him a key player in the build-up play. Supporting Nielsen, Marco Ilaimaharitra adds defensive solidity and ball-winning abilities, ensuring balance in the midfield. Adnane Abid’s energy and work rate will be vital in both offensive and defensive phases.

Expected lineup for Standard Liège

• Goalkeeper: Matthieu Epolo
• Defence: Henry Lawrence, Ibe Hautekiet, Daan Dierckx
• Midfield: Adnane Abid, Tobias Mohr, Marco Ilaimaharitra, Rafiki Saïd, Casper Nielsen
• Forward: Dennis Eckert Ayensa, Thomas Henry

Standard Liège Tactics and Formation

Standard Liège Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Key Forward: Thomas Henry
• Midfield Engine: Casper Nielsen and Marco Ilaimaharitra
• Defensive Record: One clean sheet in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: High possession play and set-piece utilisation.

In their recent matches, Standard Liège have operated with a 4-4-2 formation, providing a balanced approach between attack and defence. The midfield pairing of Casper Nielsen and Marco Ilaimaharitra is pivotal, offering both defensive cover and creative distribution. This setup allows Standard Liège to maintain high possession, evidenced by their 59% possession in the last match against Sporting Charleroi.

Offensively, the partnership of Thomas Henry and Dennis Eckert Ayensa up front aims to exploit defensive gaps, with Henry being the top scorer with three goals this season. The wide midfielders, Adnane Abid and Rafiki Saïd, are tasked with stretching the play and delivering crosses, a crucial part of their attacking strategy.

Defensively, the backline led by Daan Dierckx and Ibe Hautekiet has shown resilience, though conceding six goals in their last five matches indicates room for improvement. The team’s ability to capitalise on set-pieces remains a significant strength, often turning tight matches in their favour.

Gent Analysis & Past Performance

Gent’s recent form has been somewhat inconsistent, with their last five games resulting in three wins and two losses. Notable victories include a convincing 4-2 win against Anderlecht and a 2-0 triumph over Westerlo. However, they also suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Anderlecht in the Belgian Cup and a 2-1 loss to Club Brugge in the league.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Gent	Anderlecht	4 – 2 (Win)	Jupiler Pro League	18 Jan 2026
Anderlecht	Gent	1 – 0 (Loss)	Cup	15 Jan 2026
CFR Cluj	Gent	0 – 2 (Win)	Club Friendlies	9 Jan 2026
Gent	Westerlo	2 – 0 (Win)	Jupiler Pro League	27 Dec 2025
Club Brugge	Gent	2 – 1 (Loss)	Jupiler Pro League	21 Dec 2025

Recent Form:

• WLWWL

Gent have averaged 1.80 goals per match in their last five fixtures, while conceding an average of 1.00 goal per game. This balance has contributed to two clean sheets during this period. However, their away performance has been less impressive, with just two wins out of their last five away matches, highlighting a potential area of weakness. Their ability to score in 7 out of their last 10 matches underscores their attacking potential, but defensive lapses have seen them concede in the same number of games.

Gent Suspensions & Injuries

Gent face a challenge with Mathias Delorge sidelined due to an ankle injury, and his status remains doubtful for the upcoming match against Standard Liège. Delorge’s absence could impact Gent’s defensive solidity, as his experience and composure at the back have been pivotal in their recent performances. Without him, the team might need to rely on younger or less experienced players to fill the void, which could be a potential area of concern against a strong opponent.

The potential unavailability of Delorge necessitates tactical adjustments from coach Rik De Mil. One possible solution could be the inclusion of Michal Skoras or Matties Volckaert in the defensive lineup. Both players have shown promise but lack the consistency that Delorge brings. This situation might force Gent to adopt a more conservative approach, focusing on maintaining defensive shape and looking to exploit counter-attacking opportunities.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Mathias Delorge	Ankle injury	Doubtful

With no suspensions affecting the squad, Gent can focus on optimising their available resources. However, Delorge’s injury might influence betting markets, as his absence could sway the odds slightly in favour of Standard Liège, given Gent’s reliance on a stable defence. The team’s ability to adapt and manage without him will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.

Gent Key Players

Omri Gandelman stands out as Gent’s top scorer with 7 goals, making him a pivotal figure in their attacking strategy. His ability to find the net consistently will be crucial as Gent face Standard Liège, providing both a scoring threat and an outlet for the team’s creative build-up play. Gandelman’s presence in the box and his knack for exploiting defensive weaknesses can turn the tide in favour of Gent.

Supporting Gandelman, Michal Skoras and Wilfried Kanga are key players in the forward line. Skoras offers agility and skill on the wings, capable of delivering precise crosses or cutting inside to shoot. Kanga, with his physical presence, acts as a target man, holding up play and creating space for others. In midfield, Hyun-Seok Hong and Leonardo da Silva Lopes are instrumental in dictating the tempo and linking play between defence and attack.

Expected lineup for Gent

• Goalkeeper: Davy Roef
• Defence: Matties Volckaert, Siebe Van der Heyden, Maksim Paskotsi, Tiago Araújo, Atsuki Ito
• Midfield: Leonardo da Silva Lopes, Abdelkahar Kadri, Hyun-Seok Hong
• Forward: Michal Skoras, Wilfried Kanga

Gent’s tactical approach heavily relies on their midfield control and defensive solidity. Siebe Van der Heyden and Maksim Paskotsi form a robust central defensive partnership, essential in thwarting Standard Liège’s attacking threats. Their defensive acumen and ability to initiate counter-attacks could be decisive in the match outcome. With this lineup, Gent aim to balance defensive resilience with offensive potency.

Gent Tactics and Formation

Gent Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: Expected 4-3-3
• Key Forward: Wilfried Kanga
• Midfield Engine: Leonardo da Silva Lopes and Atsuki Ito
• Defensive Setup: Recent struggles with only one clean sheet in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: High pressing and exploiting wide areas.

Gent are likely to deploy a 4-3-3 formation, aiming to leverage their offensive capabilities. With Wilfried Kanga leading the line, supported by Hyun-Seok Hong, Gent’s attack focuses on speed and directness. In midfield, Leonardo da Silva Lopes and Atsuki Ito are tasked with maintaining possession and driving the team forward.

Defensively, Gent have had challenges, securing only one clean sheet in their recent outings. The backline, featuring the likes of Michal Skoras and Siebe Van der Heyden, will need to improve their coordination to prevent conceding goals, as evidenced by their 4-2 victory over Anderlecht.

Offensively, Gent emphasise high pressing and quick transitions, utilising the width provided by their wingers. This approach aims to disrupt the opposition’s build-up play and create goal-scoring opportunities through rapid counterattacks.

Standard Liège vs Gent H2H Record

In their last 50 encounters, Gent have dominated the head-to-head record with 30 wins compared to Standard Liège’s 14, while 6 matches ended in draws. The most recent meeting saw Gent thrash Standard Liège 4-0 at home in the Belgian Pro League. This result highlights Gent’s current upper hand in this matchup.

The last time Standard Liège hosted Gent, it ended in a narrow 0-1 defeat for the home side in December 2024. This fixture has been tough for Standard Liège, especially at home, where Gent have consistently found ways to secure victories.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Gent	Standard Liège	4 – 0	Belgian Pro League	2025-10-25
Standard Liège	Gent	0 – 1	Belgian Pro League	2024-12-22
Gent	Standard Liège	5 – 0	Belgian Pro League	2024-11-10
Standard Liège	Gent	1 – 4	Belgian Pro League Playoff ECL Group	2024-05-18
Gent	Standard Liège	5 – 1	Belgian Pro League Playoff ECL Group	2024-03-29