Basaksehir-Gent is a match valid for the return leg of the Conference League round of 16 and is played on Wednesday at 18:00: TV, formations, predictions.
Last Thursday, in the ‘quagmire’ of the Ghelamco Arena, Gent and Basaksehir settled for a draw (1-1) on a pitch that was borderline unplayable.
The Turks took the lead after just a quarter of an hour with former Udinese striker Okaka, but the Belgian side responded almost immediately with the response from the 2002-born Orban, a surprising Nigerian centre-forward who arrived in the last transfer window from Norwegian side Stabaek and has already scored nine goals in eight matches with Gent. Everything was postponed until the return match in Istanbul, the only one to be played earlier than the other Conference League matches, which will be played regularly on Thursday. The team coached by former Inter midfielder Emre Belozoglu – who finished ahead of Fiorentina in the group stage thanks to the goal difference in the direct clashes – is still the big favourite for the passage to the next round, even if it is not shining at all. The last league victory was before the forced break due to the violent earthquake that struck the country. Since then Basaksehir have only collected defeats, including last Sunday’s defeat against Besiktas (0-2).
The Belgians are faring much better, coming off a pyrotechnic 6-2 victory over Zulte Waregem, their second win in a row after a more prestigious one against Anderlecht.
Orban celebrated by team-mates
Gent are far from the top in the Pro League but are only one point away from fourth place, occupied by Club Brugge. Compared to Basaksehir, the path of Hein van Haezebrouck’s men has been more tortuous. They had to go through the play-offs to reach the round of 16, which they overcame thanks to a penalty shootout victory over Qarabag Azerbaijanis. The Gent coach meanwhile continues to deal with numerous absences. Many are injured, from Tissoudali to Hjulsager, passing through Marreh and Okumu. In Basaksehir’s attack, on the other hand, former Manchester United man Januzaj, who arrived on loan from Sevilla in February, will take his place.
The prediction
The feeling is that it will be another balanced match as in the first leg, in which Gent would have prevailed on points. The Turks can count on the home factor this time, but another draw would not be surprising. Both will score on at least one occasion.
Basaksehir-Gent line-ups
- BASAKSEHIR (4-3-3): Babacan; Sahiner, Duarte, Touba, Lima; Tekdemir, Aleksic, Ozcan; Januzaj, Okaka, Gurler.
- GENT (3-4-1-2): Roef; Fortuna, Ngadeu, Piatkowski; Castro-Montes, Kums, De Sart, Fofana; Hong; Cuypers, Orban.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
