- KAA Gent are unbeaten in their last 5 matches, having won the last 2 (W2, D2).
- IFK Goteborg's last 5 games have been mixed, with 2 wins and 3 defeats (W2, L3).
- Gent have conceded an average of 2.33 goals per game across their last 3 home matches.
Control vs counter
KAA Gent vs IFK Goteborg preview: KAA Gent did what they were expected to do last week and took the initial lead in the head-to-head record by beating IFK Goteborg 1-0 away in the UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026. They now return to their Planet Group Arena in Belgium and look to finish the job against the Swedes.
Rik De Mil sets up his team in a compact 4-2-3-1 shape, where they try to dominate the ball in the middle of the pitch, press the ball when they don't have it, and try to utilise their forward players in the vertical when space is created. Hyllarion Goore leads the line in this system and brings a lively presence in the penalty box. He has scored 1 goal in 3 games in this competition and will likely play a central role on Thursday.
Gent do have the advantage on paper and are clear favorites at 1.35, Goteborg are a massive long shot at 9.9 and the draw comes in at 5.05. However, we feel that this will be a close game and will be leaning towards the Under 2.5 goals market at 1.91 and BTTS-No at 1.53.
Not the easiest game to call
KAA Gent vs IFK Goteborg betting tips point to a tight contest, as Goteborg's form is patchy at best and they come into this game off the back of a 0-1 defeat to Gent last week. Joachim Bjoerklund has set up his side to be more reactive, but it is an approach that has proven to be their undoing at times, as they've not been as tight at the back as you might expect. The two key players in their side are Adam Bergmark Wiberg, who has scored 2 goals in 3 games in the UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026, and Sam Larsson, who has scored 2 of their last 5 goals.
At home, Gent are W2, D1 across all competitions, which isn't exactly the most impressive home record. They have also been quite leaky at the Planet Group Arena, conceding 7 goals at an average of 2.33 per game. Goteborg are also poor on the road, W1, L2 in 3 away games, and conceding 3.00 goals per away game.
Stick with the Belgians
Goteborg's record across all competitions over their last 10 (W3, D1, L6) screams inconsistency and fragility. Gent are in good form and have looked a sturdy side, who're hard to knock over (W4, D4, L2) and we're backing them to nick this game at home, but we don't see this being a goal bonanza, so we're leaning towards Under 2.5 goals. KAA Gent vs IFK Goteborg prediction: a narrow home win looks the likeliest outcome.
