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KAA Gent and Cercle Brugge get round 26 of the Belgian Jupiler League underway when they square off at the Ghelamco Arena on Friday. Onur Cinel’s men, who are unbeaten in their last five away matches, will head into the weekend looking to extend this fine run as they aim to climb out of the relegation round places.

KAA Gent saw off a late comeback scare against Sporting Charleroi last Saturday when they held on to see out a 3-2 victory at the Stade du Pays.

This followed a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Oud-Heverlee Leuven on February 7, a result which saw Rik De Mil’s side’s run of four consecutive league games without defeat (3W 1D) come to an end.

Gent have picked up 36 points from their 25 Jupiler League matches so far to sit fifth in the league standings, level on points with sixth-placed Mechelen.

Elsewhere, Cercle Brugge continue to struggle for results at the wrong end of the table as they fell to a 2-1 loss against Club Brugge in the Bruges derby last weekend.

Having gone four consecutive games without defeat between December 21 and January 25, Cinel’s men have now lost two of their most recent three matches, with a 4-3 victory over Charleroi on February 7 being the exception.

Cercle Brugge have picked up 24 points from their 25 Jupiler League matches so far to sit 15th in the league table, five points behind 12th-placed Zulte Waregem in the championship round playoff places.

KAA Gent vs Cercle Brugge Head-To-Head and Key Numbers

  • With 26 wins from the last 49 meetings between the sides, Gent boast a superior record in the history of this fixture.
  • Cercle Brugge have picked up 14 wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared on nine occasions.
  • Gent are unbeaten in five of their most recent six Jupiler League matches, claiming four wins and one draw since losing consecutive games against Royal Antwerp and Club Brugge in December.
  • Cercle Brugge are on a run of five consecutive away games without defeat, picking up three wins and two draws since November’s 2-0 loss against Union Saint-Gilloise.

KAA Gent vs Cercle Brugge Prediction

Gent have their sights set on securing a top-six finish in the league, and we expect them to go all out against a floundering Cercle Brugge side. Mil’s men head into the weekend as the more in-form team, and we are backing them to extend their dominance in this fixture.

Prediction: KAA Gent 3-1 Cercle Brugge

KAA Gent vs Cercle Brugge Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result – Gent to win

Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals – Yes (There have been at least three goals scored in four of the last five meetings between the two teams)

Tip 3: Both sides to score – Yes (Both teams have also scored in their last five meetings)