Levi Rothermund
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This is the second leg of a Conference League playoff tie that remains completely open after a goalless draw in Belgium. Gent came into the first leg as slight favourites, but Hibernian held firm at Gent’s ground, meaning Easter Road now gets to decide who advances. A 0-0 away result for Hibs is a solid platform, and David Gray’s side will know that a single goal at home could be enough. Rik De Mil’s Gent side, unbeaten in their last seven matches, will not come to Edinburgh just to defend.
Two players deserve particular attention heading into this match. For Hibernian, Owen Elding has been their most productive forward across the last five games, contributing two goals and showing a willingness to press high. For Gent, Tiago Araújo stands out as a genuine threat from defensive positions, with a goal and an assist in recent matches alongside a high pass completion rate that drives Gent’s build-up play.
The hot stat from recent form: Gent have registered 64 total shots across their last five matches, compared to Hibernian’s 52. That shot volume, combined with 33 corner kicks to Hibs’ 19, tells you Gent dominate territorial pressure in most games they play.
| 🏆 Tournament: | UEFA Conference League 2026/27 Playoffs |
| 🏟 Venue: | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| 🗓️ Date: | 27.08.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 21:00 CEST |
Hibernian vs Gent Prediction
The aggregate score is level at 0-0, and the second leg is at Easter Road. Hibs will have the crowd behind them, and their recent Scottish Premiership form shows they can be hard to break down. Gent are the better side on paper, ranked considerably higher in world club rankings, but they have drawn three of their last seven matches and have not exactly been clinical in front of goal when facing organised defences.
We think the most likely scenario is a low-scoring match decided by a single goal. Gent need to score to advance without extra time, which means they will commit forward more than they did in the first leg. That opens space for Hibernian on the counter, and Elding is exactly the type of forward who can punish that. Honestly, the value is in backing Under 2.5 goals given that both teams have shown defensive resilience in this tie and the first leg produced nothing.
Hibs have been a foul-heavy side in recent games, committing 29 fouls across five matches compared to Gent’s 16. Gent also carry a much lower yellow card count (5 versus Hibs’ 17), which suggests they maintain discipline and keep the ball rather than resorting to physical challenges. Hibs’ pass accuracy is notably lower than Gent’s, meaning Gent will likely control possession. The question is whether that possession translates into goals against a side that has already shown it can absorb pressure for 90 minutes in Belgium.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Gent to score in both halves – No |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Under 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | No |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Hibernian arrive at this second leg having gone unbeaten in four of their last five matches. Their most recent game before this playoff was a 1-0 win over Partick Thistle in the Scottish Premiership, a narrow but professional result that maintained their domestic momentum. Before that, they drew 0-0 with Shkendija in the first leg of the previous Conference League round, then beat Rangers 2-1 in a result that showed real quality, and followed that with a 2-1 win over Shkendija to progress. The pattern is consistent: Hibs grind out results, they do not blow teams away. Their five-match goal tally of just five goals reflects a side that relies on structure over firepower.
Gent come into this match without a defeat in their last seven games, though three of those ended in draws. Their most recent match was a 2-1 win over RAAL La Louviere in the Belgian league, a useful confidence boost before this trip to Edinburgh. Before that, they drew 1-1 with Goteborg in the first leg of the previous round, then beat Mechelen 2-0 and defeated Goteborg 1-0 to advance. Gent have been winning the matches that matter. Their Belgian league form and European results show a team that can manage games well, even if they are not always convincing.
Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Hibernian | Gent |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Hibernian vs Gent stats page for more info.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Gent the Favourite
- Moneyline Hibernian 2.64 | Gent 2.51
- Draw 3.20
- Over/Under Over 2.5 2.10 | Under 2.5 1.75
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 2.20 | No 1.65
The odds are extremely tight, with Gent marginally favoured. The bookmakers’ average gives Gent a 37% chance and Hibs 35%, which is barely a gap. Given that the first leg ended 0-0 and this is a home match for Hibernian, the draw odds at around 3.20 look interesting but we would not chase them. The Under 2.5 market is where we see value. Both teams have shown they can keep things tight, and the pressure of a knockout tie tends to produce cautious football, especially in the first 30 minutes.
Possible Starting Lineups
Hibernian Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Raphael Sallinger
- DF: Warren O’Hora, Jason Kerr, A. Major, Jack Iredale
- MF: Josh Mulligan, Joe Newell, Jordan Obita, Miguel Changa Chaiwa, Felix Passlack
- FW: Owen Elding
David Gray is likely to stick with the 3-5-2 shape that has been his default across recent matches, though the second striker role could see Nathan Lowe or Ante Suto come in alongside Elding. The back three of O’Hora, Kerr, and Major has been consistent, with O’Hora the most aggressive of the three going forward. Sallinger is the clear first-choice goalkeeper based on playing time. In midfield, Mulligan’s work rate and Obita’s delivery from the left will be important for set-piece situations, where Hibs may look to threaten Gent’s taller defenders.
Gent Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Davy Roef
- DF: Tiago Araújo, Siebe Van Der Heyden, Mouhamed El Bachir Ngom, Christian Burgess
- MF: Tibe De Vlieger, Mathias Delorge, Leonardo Da Silva Lopes, Abdelkahar Kadri
- FW: Josue Vergara, Momodou Sonko
Rik De Mil has consistently used a 4-3-3 shape, and the personnel largely picks itself based on appearances and minutes. Davy Roef is the established starter between the posts. The back four is anchored by Van Der Heyden and Ngom, who between them have 5 interceptions in recent matches. Araújo is the most dynamic of the defenders, capable of contributing in the final third. Up front, Vergara leads the line with 6 total shots across five games, and Sonko provides a goal threat from wide positions. László Bénes offers creative play from midfield and could be the one to unlock Hibs on the break.
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Hibernian. Source: Official Website
TipsGG Match Prediction
This match is genuinely difficult to call, and the odds reflect that. The first leg was a tight, goalless affair in Belgium, and there is no strong reason to expect a sudden goal fest at Easter Road. Gent’s superior ball retention and shot volume suggest they will be the more threatening side, but Hibs have already proven they can absorb that pressure for 90 minutes.
We think the most likely outcome is a 1-0 win for one of the sides, with Gent perhaps the marginal pick given their unbeaten run and higher world ranking. Their low foul count and high pass accuracy point to a disciplined, technically capable squad. Hibs’ aggressive foul rate could lead to set-piece opportunities for Gent, and Araújo or Van Der Heyden arriving into the box from deep are real threats from those situations.
Our prediction is Gent to win 1-0, with Under 2.5 goals as the primary betting selection and Over 8.5 corners as a side market given Gent’s strong corner record of 33 in five games.
