In an intriguing UEFA Europa Conference League clash, Maccabi Haifa is set to face Gent at the Bozsik Aréna in Budapest on February 15, 2024. The game promises to be a captivating encounter as both teams have shown varying forms in their respective domestic leagues, leading up to this point in the European competition.
Match analysis
Maccabi Haifa comes into this match with impressive recent performances in the Ligat Ha'al, showcasing strong offensive capabilities. Their last ten games have seen a mix of high-scoring victories and a couple of defeats, signaling a relatively consistent form. Particularly noteworthy are their notable wins, including a 6-3 triumph over Hapoel Kfar Saba in the State Cup and a 5-0 league victory against Maccabi Petah Tikva. On the flip side, their latest European encounters are not part of the available statistics, leaving a slight ambiguity regarding their current continental form.
Gent, competing in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, has had a mixed bag of results lately. Despite a flurry of wins in the earlier part of their ten-game stretch, recent matches have seen them falter, including a 4-1 loss to St. Truiden and a 2-1 defeat to Cercle Brugge. Their inconsistency could be a cause for concern, but their ability to find the back of the net in diverse circumstances suggests they can't be taken lightly.
Recent form
- Maccabi Haifa's recent form is robust, with an 80% win rate in their last ten matches across all competitions, including an unbeaten run in seven consecutive games before their loss to Hapoel Beer Sheva.
- Gent has had a 40% win rate in their last ten matches, showcasing both their potential for brilliance and susceptibility to lapses in form.
Head to head
- There are no recent head-to-head fixtures between Maccabi Haifa and Gent to infer historical dominance or patterns.
Prediction
Given Maccabi Haifa's strong form, particularly in attack, and Gent's recent struggles, although mixed with the capacity to score, this match is poised to produce goals. The absence of head-to-head data makes direct comparisons difficult, but considering both teams' performances leading up to this fixture:
- Full-time score prediction: Maccabi Haifa 2-1 Gent
- Betting tip: Over 2.5 goals in the game
Both teams have demonstrated offensive prowess in their recent games, suggesting that the match will not be short on goal-scoring opportunities. Maccabi Haifa's more consistent form, especially in their domestic league, gives them a slight edge over Gent, whose recent form has been wobbly. However, Gent's capability to perform in tough fixtures must not be underestimated. Thus, a closely contested match with over 2.5 goals seems a probable outcome, with Maccabi Haifa more likely to clinch a narrow victory.
