Gent vs Maccabi Haifa Prediction & Betting Tips (21 February)

La Gantoise got off to a bad start in this double confrontation by narrowly losing in the first leg 1-0 played last week on neutral ground despite a fairly significant domination. During the first part of the season, the Belgians took 2nd place in their Conference League group behind another Maccabi, that of Tel-Aviv, but they ranked ahead of Zorya Louhansk and Breidablik. In the tough in recent weeks, the Buffalos had suffered 3 defeats in a row in the league against Saint-Trond 4-1, Anderlecht 1-0 and Cercles Bruges 1-2 but they finally raised their heads last weekend on the ground of AS Eupen 0-2 to regain 5th place in the Pro League standings. Best team in Israel in recent years, Maccabi Haifa, on the other hand, was unable to obtain better than 3rd place in its group in the League Europa during the fall.

It was in fact beaten by Villarreal and Stade Rennais but it was still able to beat Panatinaïkos. Forced to go through the play-offs to hope to be transferred to the Conference League, this team managed a small hold up by winning the first leg last week 1-0. Still leaders in the league, the partners of former Guingamp player Frantzdy Pierrot are only 3 points ahead of their first pursuer after their draw conceded at home against Hapoel Haifa last weekend 1-1.

At the moment, French starting goalkeeper Nardi, defender Fortuna, midfielder Kums and replacement striker Yokota must all withdraw from this La Gantoise team. Packaged last weekend, midfielder Hjulsager and senior defender Torunarigha are expected this week. Selected with Morocco for the CAN, Tissoudali (9 goals, 2 assists in the championship) could be the leader of the Belgian revolt in this match. This could be supported by the important De Sart (4 pawns) and Hong (4 goals, 3 caviars). He also found the fault last week in the championship. The long-term injured Haziza (only 1 appearance this season in the championship), the midfielder Menahem (absent for a long time), the executives Hagag and Jaber and the little used Shuranov (only 4 appearances this season in the league) should not make the trip to Belgium this week.

On the other hand, starting French defender Cornud is expected to return after being suspended in the first leg, and starting central defender Goldberg returned this weekend. Author of 11 goals in the championship, David is hoped for after missing the 1st round. At the forefront, Frantzdy Pierrot (10 championship goals) scored his team's only goal in the first leg. The former Guingampais could once again feature in the 11 alongside the experienced Refaelov (7 goals, 6 assists) or the young talent Khalaili (5 goals, 2 goals in the league).