Preview:Sint-Truiden vs Gent - prediction, team news, lineups

Gent will be aiming to make a winning start to their 2025-26 Belgian Pro League campaign when they make the trip to Stayen on Sunday evening to tackle Sint-Truiden.

The visitors finished 14th in the Belgian Pro League at the end of the 2024-25 regular season before surviving relegation in the playoffs, while Gent, who finished at the top of the division in 2014-15 to lift the trophy, were sixth.

Match preview

Sint-Truiden, as mentioned, ended the 2024-25 regular Belgian Pro League season in 14th, which saw them drop into the relegation playoffs, but they managed to finish first in the four-team group to keep their status as a top-flight club.

The Canaries will be looking for a huge improvement in the coming campaign, and there is certainly enough talent in the group to finish higher up the division.

Wouter Vrancken's side were excellent during pre-season, posting six straight wins, including a 1-0 success over Al-Qadsiah last time out, so confidence should be high in the group.

Sint-Truiden have been active during this summer's transfer window, with their standout arrival proving to be Andres Ferrari, with the 22-year-old making the move from Villarreal.

Meanwhile, Louis Patris has also been an eye-catching signing, making the switch from Anderlecht.

Gent won the Belgian First Division in 2014-15, while they have been runners-up on three previous occasions, last finishing second in 2019-20.

The Buffalos finished sixth in Belgian's top flight last term, boasting a record of 11 wins, 12 draws and seven defeats from their 30 matches during the regular campaign.

Gent struggled to make their mark during the Champions' playoffs, though, picking up just one victory from their 10 matches, suffering nine defeats in the process.

Ivan Leko's side have made three signings during this summer's transfer window, boosting their squad with the arrivals of Mohammed El Adfaoui, Hatim Essaouabi and Wilfried Kanga.

Meanwhile, there have been a number of departures, including Tsuyoshi Watanabe and Archie Brown; four players have also left the Belgian outfit on free transfers to seek pastures new.

Sint-Truiden pre-season form:

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Gent pre-season form:

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Team News

Sint-Truiden are expected to have some debutants in their side on Sunday, including striker Ferrari.

Ryan Merlen is also a new signing in central midfield, and he is likely to be in the XI against Gent.

Adriano Bertaccini is set for a spot in the final third of the field, which could mean that Ferrari starts in a wider area, but it is likely to be a fluid front three for the hosts.

As for Gent, Kanga, Essaoubai and El Adfaoui are all likely to be in the side following their arrivals.

Max Dean had a strong 2024-25 campaign for the club, scoring 13 times in all competitions, and the 20-year-old will feature in the final third of the field on Sunday.

However, Daisuke Yokota is currently on the sidelines with an injury problem.

Sint-Truiden possible starting lineup:

Kokubo; Patris, Musliu, Belaid, Hata; Yamamoto, Merlen, Benachour; Sebaoui, Bertaccini, Ferrari

Gent possible starting lineup:

Roef; Gambor, Essaoubai, Kotto, Araujo; Delorge, El Adfaoui, Omgba; Kanga, Dean, Venzeir

We say: Sint-Truiden 1-2 Gent

It is always difficult to predict scores on the opening weekend of a new campaign, but Gent can call upon the greater quality, and we are backing them to secure all three points in this contest.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.