Gent vs Zulte Waregem Prediction: 13.03.2026 Pro League 2025/26 Preview

As the Pro League 2025/26 regular season enters a crucial phase, Gent host Zulte Waregem at the modern Ghelamco Arena in what promises to be a fascinating test for both sides. These teams are eager to finish the campaign on a high, with Gent still harbouring hopes of a top-six finish, while Zulte Waregem look to distance themselves from the relegation fight. Although neither has enjoyed the most consistent form of late, a closer look reveals several storylines worth following.

Max Dean’s current purple patch for Gent (three goals in his last four appearances) marks him out as a player to watch, especially given Zulte Waregem’s defensive fragility, while Joseph Amankwaah Opoku’s recent goal involvements have brought rare optimism to the Waregem ranks. Curiously, both sides favour attack-focused formations – Gent’s 3-4-1-2 often sees them press from midfield, compared to Waregem’s more standard 4-2-3-1 that relies on quick transitions.

Hot stat: Zulte Waregem have conceded 45 goals in 28 league matches, the joint second-worst defensive tally in the division – will Gent be able to exploit those gaps?

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Gent vs Zulte Waregem prediction

Given recent results and the home advantage for Gent, the data slightly favours the hosts. Gent have managed five wins in their last ten competitive matches (50% win rate this year) and posted back-to-back home league victories before a minor setback against Genk. Zulte Waregem, meanwhile, have struggled for stability, winning just three times in their previous ten and conceding goals at a worrying rate.

Expect Gent to lean on their dynamic forward line spearheaded by Dean, combined with their industrious midfield, to press the visitors’ occasionally haphazard back four. Zulte Waregem’s style under coach Sven Vandenbroeck is high on effort—evidenced by their 42 fouls over the last five games and 23 corners won—but defensively, they’ve been caught out, especially late in matches. Both teams have picked up a fair share of disciplinary issues (five yellows for Gent, six for Waregem in their last five games) and given the high stakes, we could be in for a lively encounter with robust challenges and plenty of set-piece action.

In terms of ball progression, Zulte Waregem are actually posting more passes (1,741 to Gent’s 1,448 over the past five games) and marginally better accuracy too (1,361 successful to 1,111). This suggests the visitors won’t simply roll over, and may even dictate spells of possession.

Team Analysis

Gent’s recent games have showcased both their promise and their flaws. In their latest five outings, the Buffaloes won twice (notably against Mechelen and Charleroi with scorelines of 3-1 and 3-2), but have mixed in defeats against Genk and Cercle Brugge, the latter being a frustrating 0-1 home loss. The attacking trio of Dean, Sonko and Leonardo Da Silva Lopes has at least kept them competitive, and their ability to create—43 shots in five matches—bodes well, especially against a leaky Zulte Waregem defence. Still, conceding multiple goals in key matches points to potential fragilities the visitors could exploit if Gent switch off.

Zulte Waregem’s journey has been one of defensive headaches but attacking flashes. Their last five matches have seen one win (a wild 4-3 over Mons), four losses including a hard-fought 2-4 versus Anderlecht, and most recently a punishing 0-1 home defeat against Standard Liege. Waregem have taken more shots than Gent (78 in their last five) and have been slightly more industrious in midfield, but the return—just five goals and a mountain of fouls—shows their lack of composure in critical zones. Defensively, they’ve leaked goals at costly moments, and the high card count is starting to take its toll on squad depth.

Most recent Head-to-Head Matches

🚨Read our full Gent vs Zulte Waregem stats for more analysis.

Pre-game odds and win probability: Gent the favourite

• Moneyline Gent 2.06-2.13 | Zulte Waregem 3.10-3.30
• Draw 3.50-3.65
• Over/Under Over 2.5 1.80 | Under 2.5 1.90
• BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 1.65 | No 2.10

Looking at these odds, Gent are deservedly the favourites, but not by a huge margin—reflecting their solid but unspectacular run of form. Zulte Waregem’s longer price mirrors their defensive frailties and patchy performance this term. Bookmakers also expect goals, and both teams’ tendency to concede and score in equal measure supports a wager on over 2.5 goals or both teams to find the net. The draw remains a plausible outcome, but Gent’s home record nudges the balance in their favour.

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Possible Starting Lineups

Gent possible starting eleven

• GK: Davy Roef
• DF: Tiago Araújo, Matties Volckaert, Daiki Hashioka, Siebe Van Der Heyden
• MF: Atsuki Ito, Leonardo Da Silva Lopes, Hong Hyunseok, Abdelkahar Kadri
• FW: Max Dean, Momodou Sonko

Gent are likely to retain their trusty 3-4-1-2 shape, allowing Dean and Sonko to combine up front. Manager Rik De Mil prefers a high press, with Lopes given creative licence, while defensively the back three will need to be alert to Zulte Waregem’s fast breaks. Volckaert and Araújo bring solidity, and Van Der Heyden’s experience will be vital. Kadri and Ito offer energy in midfield, and Roef remains a steady hand between the sticks.

Zulte Waregem possible starting eleven

• GK: Brent Gabriel
• DF: Lukas Willen, Jakob Kiilerich, Benoit De Jaegere, Emran Soglo
• MF: Joseph Amankwaah Opoku, Thomas Claes, Benoit Nyssen, Dirk Junior Asare
• FW: Jeppe Erenbjerg, Anosike Ementa

Zulte Waregem will likely line up in a structured 4-2-3-1, with Gabriel returning in goal. The central pairing of Kiilerich and De Jaegere will need discipline given Gent’s attacking threat, while Soglo offers thrust down the flank. Opoku, Waregem’s top midfield contributor of late, will be key in both transitions and breaking up play, and Erenbjerg’s recent goal shows he can make a difference if given space. Waregem’s shape will depend on denying Gent’s midfield room and hitting on the counter.

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My take on the Match

All signs point toward an open and competitive contest at Ghelamco Arena. Gent, with their sharper attack, home advantage and superior finishing, are well-placed to edge this encounter, but their tendency to concede soft goals means Waregem are by no means out of it. If Dean maintains his scoring streak and the midfield asserts itself, Gent should be able to outlast Waregem. However, expect fireworks at both ends—goals are likely, and with both sides enjoying spells of pressure, it’s the kind of game where fans are never quite sure what’s coming next. Our main pick: Gent to win and both teams to score.

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