KuPS seek a standings lift as Gent arrive in Tampere

A gap KuPS want to close

KuPS are 34th of 36 in the UEFA Europa Conference League, with no points after two matches and a goal difference of -4. Gent are 17th on three points, leaving a three-point and 17-place gap between the sides. For KuPS, the immediate task is to climb the standings by turning their next opportunity into a first result.

Gent’s position offers a clear target, but the visitors have their own reason to respond: their most recent Conference League match was a defeat. The meeting takes place in Tampere on Thursday.

Recent results point to a test

KuPS have lost their last two matches in a row. Their Conference League results across four matches in this competition only read as a draw, a win and then two defeats; they have scored four goals and conceded seven in that span.

Gent’s Conference League record across eight matches in this competition only is stronger: four wins, three draws and one defeat, with seven goals scored, five conceded and five clean sheets. Their latest result was a defeat, while their last five matches in the competition brought two wins, two draws and a loss.

Competition record at home and away

KuPS have one win and one defeat in their two home matches in this competition, scoring three goals and conceding four. Gent’s four away matches in the competition have produced two wins, a draw and a defeat, with four goals for and four against. That away record gives the visitors a measure of resilience, though KuPS have shown they can find the net at home.

Our prediction

KuPS need a positive result to begin closing the standings gap, but Gent’s stronger competition record and more reliable defensive numbers make them the likelier side to edge a tight game. PreviaXI’s model also favours Gent, with the visitors projected to create more attacking threat.

KuPS 0-1 Gent