Larne vs Gent Prediction: Hosts heading for a sixth straight loss

Any momentum Larne gained from becoming the first Northern Irish side to reach the group stage of a European competition in the summer will have entirely disintegrated following their last Uefa Conference League match, which resulted in a fifth straight defeat in the competition. Their chances of further progression are already over and they are unlikely to pick up their maiden point when hosting European regulars Gent on Thursday (20:00, TNT Sports 4).

The Belgian visitors are firmly mid-table in the new-look League Phase of the Conference League but could propel themselves into the top eight with three points at Windsor Park. Read on for my Larne vs Gent prediction, alongside team news and match odds.

Team News

Larne’s Cian Bolger is suspended after being sent off against Dinamo Minsk in his side’s last Conference League match, with Sam Todd his likely replacement at centre-back.

Football Odds

Noah Fadiga and Matisse Samoise are certain absentees for Gent, who may also be without Aime Omgba and Nurio as the pair are doubts for this clash.

Larne vs Gent Odds

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Unsurprisingly, Gent are strong 1/6 favourites for this match, giving the Belgians an implied win probability of 85.7%, with Larne 16/1 and the draw chalked up at 13/2.

Goals look likely, with over 2.5 available at 2/5, but it seems likely that the visitors will do the majority of that scoring, with both teams to score priced up at 6/5.

Gent hotshot Max Dean is the 3/1 favourite to open the scoring, with Andy Ryan the shortest-priced Larne player in that market at huge 12/1 odds.

To Win to Nil - Gent @ 8/11

It is hard to see a side as experienced on the European stage as Gent, who have made it out of the group stage of this competition three seasons running and made the quarter-finals in the 2022/23 edition, handing Larne their first points of the Conference League campaign.

And Thursday’s trip to Northern Ireland looks set to be plain sailing for the Belgian outfit, who may not even need to break a sweat at Windsor Park.

Three of Larne’s European losses have seen them fail to find the net, with Gary Haveron’s side netting just two goals in their five Conference League matches - one of those was an own goal, too.

Meanwhile, four of Gent’s last seven matches in the Conference League have seen them win to nil, with that bet likely to land once again on Thursday given the huge gulf in class and experience between these sides.

Gent beat TSC 3-0 in their last European outing and that same scoreline appeals here at a price of 6/1.

Bet Builder - Half-time/Full-time - Draw/Gent, Max Dean Anytime Goalscorer @ 6/1

While Gent are fancied to get the job done in Windsor, they may have to be patient in doing so.

Despite losing all of their Conference League matches, Larne have trailed at the break in only one of those defeats and they will aim to frustrate Gent for as long as possible on Thursday.

Take the hosts to keep things tight before eventually succumbing to the constant pressure from the Belgians to kick off your Bet Builder.

Dean should lead the line for the visitors at Inver Park and he appeals as an anytime scorer pick to round out the Bet Builder.

The forward has scored in four of Gent’s last five games and is also his side’s designated penalty taker, making him the standout scorer pick for Thursday's clash.

Offers

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