Blauw-Zwart entertains KAA Gent on matchday seven of the Champions' Play-Offs. Here's everything you need to know about this fixture!
The match
Following the double bill against Union, Club plays this season's second but last home game against KAA Gent. It will be the 160th confrotation with The Buffalos in the Belgian top flight and the 80th at Jan Breydel. Club recorded 45 wins, 14 draws and 20 defeats in the previous 79 games.
Earlier in these Play-Offs, Club won the "Battle of Flanders" for the first time this season after a home defeat and away draw in the regular season. Club did win it in style, netting five at the Planet Group Arena. Christos Tzolis had put us 0-2 up inside the first quarter of an hour, before Kyriani Sabbe made it three before the break. In the second half Romeo Vermant added two more goals our tally. That 0-5 win was the largest away win of Club at Gent and the largest ever away win in the history of the Champions' Play-Offs.
Club lost three of its last five home games against Gent, which equals the amount of defeats in the 26 home fixture before that. Club and Gent faced each other eight times before in the Play-Offs, with Club winning five of them, drawing one and losing two.
Since the start of the Play-Offs, Christos Tzolis registered 26 attempts with 13 of them on goal. That is the highest number of any player in the Champions' Play-Offs. The Greek has also been involved in six goals, which is the highest of any player. Tzolis marked 12 goals so far for Club, meaning he is still Club's top striker with Hans Vanaken still the assist king with 11.
Head coach Nicky Hayen will have to do without Raphael Onyedika as the Nigerian midfielder sits out a one-match ban. It's the first game he misses in 13 Play-Off fixtures for Club.
Brandon Mechele hasn't missed a single minute in these Play-Offs. Thursday he can play his 35th consecutive Play-Off 1 match – more than any other player.
The opponent
Thursday's opponent is KAA Gent. The team of coach Daniel Milicevic dropped to the last place after three consecutive defeats.
Gent played European football the past ten seasons, which is a European run that is only matched by Club, who will play in Europe next season for the 32nd year running. If Gent want to play European football next season, they will need to move at least one place up.
After their defeat at home against Club, Gent were also beaten twice by Anderlecht. After six games in these Play-Offs, Gent only gathered one point. They haven't been able to score a goal in the last three games.
Max Dean is still Gent's top striker with six goals. Noah Fadiga scored the only goal for Gent in PO1. Frank Surdez is the assist king with five key passes.
Milicevic will have to come up with a tactical play without midfielder Leanorde Lopes and defender Matisse Samoise, as both ar suspended.
Milestones
- Maxim De Cuyper can play his 110th match in the Belgian first division after having played 39 for Westerlo and 70 for Club.
- Bjorn Meijer is looking to play his 100th match for Club and his 70th league fixture for Blauw-Zwart.
- Hugo Siquet could be playing his 25th game for Club.
- For Jorne Spileers it can become his 50th official match for Blauw-Zwart.
The match officials
Wim Smet is the referee for the match against Gent. He will be assisted by Gianni Seeldraeyers and Michiel De Cuyper. Nathan Verboomen is the fourth official.
Nicolas Laforge and his assistant Vito Di Vincenzo are the VAR team.
It will be Smet's 24th official game with Club as one the two teams. He whistled 19 home games before (17W 1D 1L).