- Both teams have won 3, drawn 2 and lost 0 of their last 5 matches, with Hibs winning 1-0 at home to Partick Thistle and 0-0 away to Gent in UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 at the weekend.
- Hibs have won 4 and lost only 1 of their last 5 home matches, conceding just 5 goals at an average of 1.00 per game.
- Gent have won 2 and lost 1 of their last 5 away matches, conceding 8 goals at an average of 1.60 per away game.
David Gray’s direct Hibs face Rik De Mil’s possession-press Gent
Hibernian FC are one of Scotland's most successful clubs in terms of the number of UEFA matches they have played, so the arrival of David Gray in May 2024 has been significant. Gray has given continuity and structure to a side that has already learned how to play and maintain competitive in Europe.
His Hibs have won 6, drawn 2 and lost only 2 of their last 10 in all competitions, so they arrive in excellent form for this clash with KAA Gent. In his first UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 outing as Hibs boss, Gray's side held Gent to a 0-0 draw in Belgium, so they could easily come through another cagey contest at Easter Road Stadium.
Rik De Mil's selection for Gent at the end of 2025 has continued their structured, direct, aggressive pressing approach, albeit in a more controlled and focused manner. The Buffalos have won 3 and drawn 2 of their last 5 in all competitions after a 1-1 home draw with IFK Goteborg, a 2-1 away win at RAAL La Louviere and that 0-0 draw in UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 with Hibs.
Midfield battle to determine winner
This is a classic clash of styles, where Gray's Hibs will try to get the ball forward quickly and press, while De Mil's Gent will look to control possession and press high up the pitch. The midfield battle should determine who are more likely to get the better chances for this one and the draw still looks live.
Backing both teams to score at 73/100 looks like a decent play for this matchup and under 2.5 goals at 22/25 also points towards another cagey affair. The odds on the away team are not too bad at 29/20, although Hibs at 187/100 have some appeal while the draw is a massive 12/5.
Hibs’ Elding vs Gent’s Goore
Owen Elding is Hibs' primary spark and they are often at their best when he is on the ball and running at the opposition. Elding has 2 goals in 5 UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 appearances and 3 goals in Hibs' last 5 matches in a row, so he is a clear danger man to watch out for when the hosts break at pace. Gent's top threat is Hybllarion Goore, who has 1 goal in 4 UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 matches. The Buffalos' ability to score in tight games depends on their wide play and pressing game coming together on the night, so we fancy Gent to edge it in the match result market.
