Preview: Union SG vs. Gent - prediction, team news, lineups

Union SG will aim to continue their memorable season when they play host to Gent on Sunday in the Belgian Pro League.

The hosts enter the fixture with a six-point lead at the top, while the visitors are in fifth position after accumulating 33 points this term.

Match preview

© Reuters

After winning promotion last season, Union SG have exceeded all expectations this term, and their superb form has them dreaming of a first top-flight title since 1935.

The league leaders have won 15 of their 20 league games this season, which has seen them stretch out a comfortable gap at the top.

Union SG have won their last four consecutive matches, and their most recent victory came in dramatic circumstances as they pulled off a remarkable comeback at home to Cercle Brugge.

In that fixture, Cercle Brugge took a two-goal lead into the break thanks to goals from Edgaras Utkus and Rabbi Matondo, but Kaoru Mitoma and Bart Nieuwkoop both netted in the second half to restore parity, and Union SG snatched all three points in stoppage time courtesy of Jesper Daland's own goal.

Sunday's hosts have been superb at both ends of the pitch as they boast the highest goalscoring tally in the league, while they have conceded just 20 goals this season - the fewest any team has conceded in the league.

As for Gent, they will head into the weekend full of confidence after winning five of their last six league games, including a narrow victory last Saturday.

Last weekend, Laurent Depoitre and Tarik Tissoudali grabbed a goal apiece to guide Hein Vanhaezebrouck's side to a 2-1 win, and they followed that positive result with another victory in midweek.

They faced Standard Liege on Wednesday in the Belgian Cup quarter-finals, with Gent prevailing thanks to a Sven Kums strike and a Tissoudali brace, which proved enough to help them to a 3-1 victory.

One of the most important factors of Gent's success this season has been their home form, which has seen them collect 22 of their 33 points on home turf.

Although, they will be encouraged by their recent upturn in fortunes on the road having avoided defeats in four of their last five away league games.

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without Senne Lynen with a knee injury set to keep the midfielder out.

After missing last weekend's game due to suspension, Christian Burgess could return to the starting lineup for Sunday's contest.

Deniz Undav enters the fixture as the current top scorer in the Belgian Pro League, and he will be aiming to add to his 16-goal tally on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the visitors could be without Depoitre due to illness.

Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe had to be withdrawn after five minutes in the midweek cup tie, and he is likely to miss Sunday's encounter.

After scoring five goals in his last three appearances, Tissoudali will pose the main goal threat for the visitors.

Union SG possible starting lineup:
Moris; Bager, Kandouss, Burgess; Nieuwkoop, Teuma, Lapoussin, Nielsen, Mitoma; Vanzeir, Undav

Gent possible starting lineup:
Bolat; Hanche-Olsen, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Okumu; Castro, De Sart, Owusu, Operi; Bezus, Tissoudali, Kums

We say: Union SG 2-1 Gent

Gent have struggled to match the heights of their home form on their travels this term, and away trips do not come more difficult than playing a Union SG side who have won four of their last five home games.

Although it may be close, we think that the league leaders will have enough quality to edge out their opponents on Sunday.

Previews by email