Gent vs Maccabi Haifa prediction 21.02.2024

• Competition: Europa Conference League 1/16 Finals, Second Leg
• Date: Wednesday, 21st February 2024
• Kickoff: 17:00 UTC / 18:00 CET
• Venue: KAA Gent Arena (Gent)

After a 1:0 for the Israeli champs in the first leg on the neutral pitch, Gent and Maccabi Haifa will face off in the second leg of the Europa Conference League 1/16 Final at KAA Gent Arena in Belgium. 

Gent have been only the 5th best team in Belgium in the previous two seasons, but this year, they had a much better start, and it looked like they could have more success. However, after winter break, they have been disappointing, losing six of seven matches in all competitions before finally stopping the bleeding with a 2:0 win in the last round vs Eupen. 

Maccabi Haifa have been the best team in Israel, winning the last three league titles. This year, they once again look like Israel's best team as they hold the 1st place with 49 points, three more than the 2nd-placed Maccabi Tel Aviv, although with one game played more. However, they are not a team with too much success in Europe, considering this is only the fifth time they secured the knockout phase in Europe. If they manage to advance to the 1/8 Finals, that would surely be one of the biggest successes in the club's history. 

Gent vs Maccabi Haifa pick: Under 2.5 goals

Since the winter break, Gent have been in absolutely terrible form, winning only four points in eight matches and scoring seven goals. We cannot say they are bad at creating chances, but they are simply not converting them. That was the case in the first leg vs Maccabi Haifa when they had 20 goal attempts and 1.65 xG but lost 1:0. 

On the other hand, Haifa are scoring regularly but against weaker teams in the domestic competitions. In the Europe League Group phase this season, against better competition, they only scored three goals in six rounds - 0.5 per game. And even though they scored vs Gent in the first leg, they were far from impressive, and it is hard to expect a goal at KAA Gent Arena. 

Considering the previous game, Gent's poor form, and Haifa's poor offensive display in the Europa League, we strongly believe that an under 2.5 goals is the best option for this match.