Kick-off: 2000, 20/04/2023
Stadium: London Stadium
TV: BT Sport
West Ham were below par when drawing 1-1 away to Gent in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final tie.
However, the Hammers had previously rattled off 10 straight wins in this competition and have generally been playing well in the Premier League of late.
United should be too strong on home turf and 29/20 for them to lead at half-time and full-time is our initial West Ham vs Gent prediction.
Moyes upbeat after surviving scare
West Ham thought they had taken the lead in Belgium when Davy Roef dropped a cross and Nayef Aguerd bundled the ball over the line, but he had used a hand.
The Hammers did go in front on the stroke of half-time when a quick throw-in caught Gent napping and Jarrod Bowen set up Danny Ings to tap in from close range.
However, the Buffalos were back on level terms when Hugo Cuypers finished off some neat build-up play with a fine strike on 56 minutes.
That was a deserved equaliser and Gent almost snatched victory when Gift Orban hit the bar with a spectacular overhead kick.
David Moyes admitted Gent had pushed his side hard but added: “A draw is a good result and gives us a great chance for the second leg.”
Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Arsenal was another positive domestic performance, following wins over Southampton and Fulham earlier this month.
United have the physical presence to control this contest and 18/5 for them to prevail by exactly two goals appeals from the West Ham vs Gent odds.
Buffalos can’t be taken lightly
Gent struggled to match West Ham in the first half of their opening encounter but did step up a level after the interval.
Tarik Tissoudali missed a late chance to win that game, although Bowen also blew a glorious opportunity at the other end.
“We could have got a better result,” commented head coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck. “There were chances to score more.
“The goal we conceded was through a lack of concentration. London won’t be easy but the game remains open. We still have the opportunity to get a good result there.”
The Buffalos are unbeaten in their last six Jupiler League outings following 1-1 draws with Union Saint-Gilloise and Mechelen either side of the first leg.
They are a very likeable outfit and will take heart from a 4-1 away win over Istanbul Basaksehir in the last round after a stalemate in Belgium.
However, we still favour the Hammers, so 6/1 for Bowen to break the deadlock is added to our West Ham vs Gent betting tips.
The flying winger has struck five times in this competition already and earned his side a precious Premier League point with the equaliser versus Arsenal.
Additional stats
Last result:
WEST HAM 2-2 Arsenal – Said Benrahma (pen), Jarrod Bowen
Mechelen 1-1 GENT – Matisse Samoise
Head-to-head: Gent 1-1 West Ham, West Ham 1-1 Gent, Gent 0-1 West Ham
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