KAA Gent - Club: the Club Facts

THE MATCH

The match was originally scheduled for Feb. 28, but after the covid outbreak, Club's request to postpone the match was granted by the calendar committee. By the way, it is an anniversary edition as AA Gent and Club Brugge will play each other for the 150th time in First Division history! Of the 74 previous away matches against KAA Gent, Club was able to win 26 (last time 0-1 on 05/05/2019), draw 21 (last time 1-1 on 22/12/2019) and lose 27 (last time 1-0 on 08/04/2018).

Club is unbeaten 3 away matches in a row against AA Gent. Gent is the last club to beat Clement's team in the Jupiler Pro League. In the outward match, the Buffaloes won 0-1 thanks to an own-goal. It was Club's first defeat in 7 mutual confrontations. If Club does not lose in Ghent, it will be unbeaten 10 away matches in a row. Only 10 times did Club achieve a longer series. If Club were to win, this would be Club's 70th victory against AA Gent.

Noa Lang remains Club's top shooter with 12 goals. Clement can again not call on Odilon Kossounou who is serving the last of 2 playing days suspension. Noa Lang must avoid a yellow card to avoid missing the home match against Antwerp.

THE OPPONENT

The Buffaloes are having a disappointing season and are currently 11th in the standings. But AA Gent is already 8 league games unbeaten. At home, the club achieved a 21 out of 42. It won from KV Mechelen (1-0), Beerschot VA (5-1), Standard Liege (2-1), Waasland-Beveren (3-0), Excel Moeskroen (4-0) and KV Oostende (1-0), played equal against RSC Anderlecht (1-1), STVV (1-1) and KAS Eupen (2-2) and lost to KV Kortrijk (1-2), OHL (2-3), KRC Genk (1-2), Zulte Waregem (0-3) and Antwerp (0-1).

This winter AA Gent reinforced itself with attackers Tarik Tissoudali [Beerschot VA) and Yonas Malede [Maccabi Netanua] and midfielders Matisse Samoise and Wouter George [both own youth]. It hired Jordan Botaka [Sporting Charleroi] and Tim Kleindienst [FC Heidenheim (Ger)]. With 5 playing days to go, AA Gent must win to still stay in the race for the Play-Offs.

Roman Yaremchuk is the player to keep an eye on for the Bruges defense. With 15 goals scored and 4 declared, he is involved in 19 goals. Only 5 players in the JPL do better. AA Gent has one of the least passed defenses. They only conceded 34 goals against. Only Club Brugge (19 goals against) and RSC Anderlecht (31 goals against) do better. With 9 clean sheets from blue and white, only Club does better (13 times kept the zero).

MECHELE

Brandon Mechele can play his 270th official match for Club Brugge. Youssouph Badji can make his 30th appearance for Blue-Black. For Nabil Dirar, then again, could be his 120th league match for Club.

THE REFEREE

Bram Van Driessche has been appointed ref for this match. He will be assisted by assistant referees Yves De Neve and Kevin Monteny. Fourth official is Wesli De Cremer. The VAR is Bert Put.

The 35-year-old ref will lead an official match at Club Brugge for the 15th time. Of the Buffaloes, he has led 10 previous matches. 8 away matches of Blauw-Zwart under his leadership ended in 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats. 3 times Van Driessche whistled a home match of KAA Gent, which resulted in 2 wins and 1 defeat. Once before, Van Driessche whistled a game between the two teams: in the 2018-19 season, the game at Jan Breydel between Club and Gent ended 1-1. This season, he whistled 1 match for Club: the away match at KRC Genk (1-2). He did not yet appear in action for Gent.