UECL 2022-23: KAA Gent vs West Ham: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa Conference League are set to be underway

The quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa Conference League has an exciting match in store for us as relegation threatened West Ham United make a trip to Belgium to face the underdogs KAA Gent.

Gent defied the odds and made a remarkable performance against Istanbul Basaksehir of Turkey to get themselves through to the quarter finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League. They have also had a good run of form against English opponents in club competitions as they famously beat Tottenham Hotspur by an aggregate scoreline of 3-2 back in the last 32 of the 2016-17 UEFA Europa League. Having moved into 4th place ahead of Club Brugge in the Belgian Pro League by goal difference, Gent have made a name for themselves in Europe this season.

West Ham on the other hand have been hovering over the relegation zone in the Premier League but a favourable tie against AEK Larnaca has seen them get through to the Quarter finals comfortably. Sitting at 14th in the Premier League table and just 3 points above the dreaded relegation zone, there have been rumors of a possible departure of David Moyes around London Stadium. However, the only prospect of a silverware has kept him in the helm and the Londoners will try and make the most out of their torrid season by proving their worth in this competition.

Kick-Off:

Thursday, 13-04-2023, 04:45 PM (GMT)

Thursday, 13-04-2023, 10:15 PM (IST)

KAA Gent  Form (All Competitions): D-W-W-W-W

West Ham Form (All Competitions): W-L-W-W-D

Player to Watch Out

KAA Gent: Gift Orban

The Nigerian wonder kid has taken the world away by storm and is one of the youngest strikers in Europe to make the headline these days. Often compared to the masked man of Napoli or Victor Osimhen, he scored the fastest ever hattrick in European competitions netting three times in just 205 seconds against Istanbul Basaksehir.

West Ham: Danny Ings

The forward is skilled with both feet, meaning he skips past challenges with ease and has good balance with the ball. He is physical, quick and has an immaculate sense of scoring goals whenever in need. David Moyes brought him in to spark a resurgence in his forward line up and he can be an important individual throughout this tie.

Match Facts

• West Ham remain unbeaten in the UEFA Europa Conference League and have won all of their 10 matches in this campaign in this competition.

• Gent have managed the unthinkable and reached the quarter final stage against all odds by beating Istanbul Basaksehir by an aggregate scoreline of 5-2.

Injury and Team News

Gent have a dilemma as to pick their favourable experienced goalkeeper Paul Nardi or go for their second choice goalkeeper Davy Roef who has more minutes under his belt this campaign. The flamboyance of Kums and Ofoe is a much required aspect in the midfield if they are to face a strong set against the likes of Soucek and Rice. An usual pairing of Gift Orban and Cuypers is expected up front for the Belgians.

Lucas Paqueta most probably won’t be making the trip to Belgium as he is struggling from a minor foot injury while Gianluca Scamacca’s knee injury means that Danny Ings will come in his place. Emerson Palmieri has been a stand out performer down the left side and the absence of Arthur Masuaku has seldom been felt. The likes of Jared Bowen and Thomas Soucek will be gunning to make their presence felt after a disappointing domestic campaign.

Head-to-head Stats

Matches – 0

KAA Gent– 0

Draws – 0

West Ham– 0

Predicted Lineup

KAA Gent Predicted lineup (3-5-2): 

Roef; Castro-Montes, Ngadeu, Torunarigha; Samoise, Kums, Hong, Odjidja-Ofoe, Fofana; Orban, Cuypers

West Ham Predicted lineup (4-4-2): 

Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Ogbonna, Palmieri; Bowen, Soucek, Rice, Fornals; Ings, Antonio

Prediction

West Ham have had a topsy-turvy run in the Premier League this campaign but their outrageous form in Europe has been unmatched by any and it seems like this might just be too big a mountain for the Belgian club to climb and defy the odds yet again. We are expecting for a thriller though as both the teams stand on parity depending on their run of form in the recent weeks.

Prediction: KAA Gent 2-2 West Ham.

Telecast

India – Sony Sports Network

UK – BT Sport, BT Sports App

US –CBS, Univision, TUDN

Nigeria – No telecast.