Ahead of the new Belgian Pro League campaign, new boys Westerlo will host Gent at the Het Kuipje on Friday in a friendly.

Westerlo secured promotion to the top flight last season despite a shaky conclusion to their campaign. After a poor 2020-21 campaign that saw them finish nine points behind the playoff spots, the Kemphanen appointed Jonas De Roeck. He led them to their highest points tally in the league in eight years, securing top-flight football.

Westerlo have already begun their preseason campaign, beating the City Pirates 11-0 in a friendly last weekend. They have other friendly clashes scheduled, including a trip to the Netherlands, where they will face AZ Alkmaar next month.

Meanwhile, Gent's major highlight of the 2021-22 campaign was their Belgian Cup triumph where they beat Anderlecht on penalties in the final after the game ended goalless in regulation time. They had mixed results in the league, failing to qualify for the Championship Round for a second straight season.

The Buffalos will hope for a stronger campaign next season and will begin their preparations with Friday's game before facing Hadjuk Split and Midtjylland.

Westerlo vs Gent Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

Westerlo vs Gent Prediction

Westerlo ended their campaign with just two wins in their final six games. They have, however, shown solidity on home turf in recent seasons. They went undefeated in their last four home games, losing just one league game at the Het Kuipje all season.

Gent, meanwhile, picked up five wins in their final six league games last season and lost just two of their last ten. They have not lost a domestic away game all year and should come out on top on Friday.

Prediction: Westerlo 1-2 Gent.

Westerlo vs Gent Betting Tips

Tip 1 - Result: Gent.

Tip 2 - Both teams to score: YES (Both teams have found the back of the net in their last three meetings).

Tip 3 - Westerlo to score first: YES (The hosts have scored the first goal in four of their last five games).