Larne v KAA Gent: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Larne face another difficult UEFA Conference League clash when they take on KAA Gent at Windsor Park on Thursday.

There was plenty of jubilation for Larne over the summer as they became the first ever Northern Irish side to reach the group stage of a top European competition, taking part in this season’s new-look league phase of the UEFA Conference League.

However, any joy at Inver Park has quickly deteriorated as a result of five straight defeats in the competition which have left Larne propping up the table as the only side without a single point.

There is a strong chance they finish a dismal campaign pointless too, with a tricky visit from Gent on Thursday providing their final match of the league phase. The Belgian side have plenty of European pedigree and they can make their quality tell at Windsor Park. 

Larne v KAA Gent betting tips and predictions

KAA Gent to win to nil - 5/6

With Larne still searching for their maiden European point and Gent firmly in mid-table and looking set for at least a spot in the play-off round, it is unsurprising to see the Belgian side priced up at a very short 1/6.

The fact Gent have lost their two away games in the league phase may have some people scoffing at that price, but those defeats came at Chelsea and Lugano, two sides who entered this final round of fixtures in the top five of the standings. 

Larne are a world away from the quality of those sides and the fact Gent netted twice at Stamford Bridge suggests they should break their away duck at Windsor Park with a comfortable victory. 

The Invermen’s dismal European campaign has seen them score just two goals and given one of those was an own goal from St Gallen’s Abdoulaye Diaby, it is fair to assume that it should be relatively plain-sailing for the visitors’ backline. 

Gent’s European experience - they have made it out of their group in the past three UEFA Conference League campaigns and made the quarter-finals in 2023 -  should show in this clash, and they can reel off a fifth win to nil in eight continental outings.

Omri Gandelman anytime goalscorer - 7/4

Gent had to come through three rounds of qualifying to reach this season’s UEFA Conference League proper, and key to their success in those clashes was the goals of midfielder Omri Gandelman. 

The Israel ace netted three goals in his four qualifying appearances - notably notching a last-minute equaliser against Silkeborg before securing his brace by scoring the winner in extra-time - and he has continued that form into the league phase.

Gandelman has scored another three goals in his five European appearances since his terrific efforts in qualifying, netting at Chelsea and at home against Omonia Nicosia and TSC.

In the UEFA Conference League, only St Gallen (17) and LASK (13) had conceded more than Larne’s 12 goals ahead of this round of fixtures, suggesting they may ship a few at Inver Park on Thursday. 

Gandelman’s late runs into the box can be difficult to track while he is also a significant aerial threat, making him, at the prices, the standout scorer pick in Northern Ireland.

Half Time/Full Time - Draw/Gent - 11/4

It is slim pickings for a decent price in this clash, given the clear gulf in quality between the sides, but there may be some value in backing Larne to frustrate their superior visitors for at least 45 minutes. 

While the points are yet to come for the Invermen, they have not really embarrassed themselves on the continental stage, with a 4-1 home defeat to Shamrock Rovers the only hugely disappointing result on their record - a 3-0 loss at Molde can be forgiven. 

That defeat to their visitors from the south was also the only time they have trailed at the break in a league phase match, holding each of Molde, St Gallen, Olimpija and Dinamo Minsk to a half-time draw. 

That suggests this Larne side are not without talent, but maybe they just lack the experience and game management skills to see out a result. 

A similar trend may continue against Gent, who have gone six away games without leading at the break, and the selection appeals as a bigger-priced option at Inver Park.

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Larne v KAA Gent odds

Larne - 16/1
Draw - 6/1
KAA Gent - 1/6

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.