Hibernian and Gent cancelled each other out in a goalless first leg in Belgium and now meet at Easter Road with the tie still finely balanced. The hosts have been a different proposition at home in this campaign, winning both matches and scoring three goals on each occasion, but…
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Sign inHibernian travel to Belgium to face Gent in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League play-off tie on Thursday night, aiming to take a step closer to the group stage after falling at this hurdle to Legia Warsaw last season. The Scottish side arrive unbeaten in four matches, while Gent have opened the campaign without defeat in six but are carrying a poor recent home record in Europe.
Gent head coach De Mil will be without Abdoul Ayinde and Matisse Samoise through injury, but Laszlo Benes and Mathias Delorge are in contention to start after second-half substitute appearances at the weekend. The frontline pair of Sonko and Cisse, who both scored in the 2-1 win at RAAL La Louvière, are expected to retain their places.
Hibernian boss David Gray confirmed that Rocky Bushiri remains sidelined with an Achilles problem, while Nicky Cadden has been added back into the European squad. Forward Thibault Klidje travelled with the group to Ghent and could be included if the club submits his registration before the deadline, though Gray suggested he is unlikely to start. Martin Boyle, Josh Campbell and Felix Passlack are all poised for recalls after being rested for the League Cup victory over Partick Thistle.
Hibernian are unbeaten in their last four outings across all competitions, a goalless draw away to Shkendija in the previous round securing this play-off spot, followed by a 1-0 win against Partick Thistle. Their recent European away record offers encouragement: last season they drew at Legia Warsaw and Midtjylland, and recorded a 2-0 win at Partizan Belgrade, demonstrating the resilience Gray will want to harness again.
Gent have started the season strongly, negotiating four Conference League qualifiers without defeat and collecting two domestic victories to extend their unbeaten run to six matches. The latest success was a 2-1 win at RAAL La Louvière. However, home form has been a concern – the Belgian side have won just one of their last nine European home games, a statistic that could leave them vulnerable despite their overall momentum.
Hibernian’s ability to grind out results on the road in Europe contrasts sharply with Gent’s struggles to make home advantage count. If Gray’s side can stay compact and frustrate early, they have the attacking tools to carry a result back to Easter Road. Gent, meanwhile, need to shake off a habit of dropping points in front of their own supporters if they are to take control of the tie.
A positive result in Belgium would leave Hibernian well placed for the return leg in Edinburgh, where a place in the Conference League group stage will be decided.
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