Gent vs Istanbul Basaksehir

Gent and Istanbul Basaksehir are set to trade tackles at the Ghelamco Arena in the first leg of their Europa Conference League last-16 tie.

Gent may have finished runners-up to Djurgardnes in the Europa Conference League Group F due to an indifferent six-game record (W2, D2, L2), but they’ve steadied the ship in the knockouts. Despite losing the first leg in Azerbaijan, Gent ousted Qarabag in the knockout playoffs on penalties to set up their second consecutive Europa Conference League round-of-16 tie. Low scoring has been a common theme in Gent’s European fixtures this season, with five out of eight featuring under 2.5 total goals. Topically, four of their six home outings in 2023 have contained a maximum of two goals, underlining the potential for a cagey contest. They wouldn’t mind just that if it’d allow them to maintain a 100% win ratio in their European clashes against Turkish sides (W2).

Meanwhile, Istanbul Basaksehir enjoyed a stellar Europa Conference League group-stage campaign, pipping Fiorentina to a top-table finish in Group A on goal difference (W4, D1, L1). In addition to conceding a competition-low three goals during the group stages, they’ve yet to allow their opponents to score from set-piece plays, highlighting a rock-solid backline as the team’s most dependable department. Moreover, the ‘Grey Owls’ have never lost to Belgian opposition in major European competitions before, picking up two wins and as many draws for four such games, including qualifiers. But the visitors have experienced a sudden dip in form ahead of this trip, going from back-to-back wins to two consecutive 1-0 defeats.