Gent vs Standard Liege

Gent face Standard Liege in round 7 of the Jupiler Pro League on Friday, September 18, 2026. The fixture takes place at the 20,185-capacity Planet Group Arena in Gent, where the hosts will look to overcome a resilient Standard side fresh off a notable domestic victory.

Standard Liege Form Guide

Standard Liege arrive at the Planet Group Arena with renewed confidence following a narrow 1-0 Jupiler Pro League victory over Antwerp in their previous fixture. Manager Vincent Euvrard has successfully stabilised a club that, just a few years ago, required dramatic financial intervention from former players Axel Witsel and Marouane Fellaini to avoid top-flight expulsion. Now functioning with a clearer on-pitch identity, Les Rouches are demonstrating defensive resilience and an ability to grind out results against difficult opposition.

Tactical Setup and Key Personnel

Euvrard is expected to deploy his preferred 4-3-3 system against Gent, a formation that served them well in their victory over Antwerp. The midfield engine room will rely heavily on the experience of Casper Nielsen and Alexis Trouillet to dictate the tempo and break up the hosts' possession.

Up front, Dennis Eckert Ayensa and Adnane Abid provide the attacking focal points for Liege, supported by the overlapping runs of American full-back Marlon Fossey. Australian international Aiden O'Neill also remains a central figure in the club's midfield rotation, offering both tactical discipline and progressive passing from deep areas.

Team News and Injury Latest

Despite their recent positive results, Standard Liege travel to Gent with a depleted squad. Euvrard faces a mounting injury crisis, with several first-team regulars ruled out of the trip. Marco Ilaimaharitra remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, while Andi Zeqiri is currently struggling with match fitness.

The defensive unit is particularly stretched ahead of this fixture. Both Dimitri Lavalée and Josué Homawoo are unavailable due to severe Achilles tendon problems—with Homawoo suffering a complete rupture—and Mohammed El Hankouri is nursing a muscle injury. This lengthy absentee list will force Euvrard to test the depth of his squad, relying on players like Ibe Hautekiet and Gustav Mortensen to step up under pressure.

A positive result in Gent would further solidify Standard's position in the upper half of the table as the regular season takes shape. For the hosts, securing a home victory at the Planet Group Arena is vital to keeping pace in the early Jupiler Pro League standings before the busy autumn schedule intensifies.