Form and context

Gent travel to Lommel United on Sunday sitting first in the Jupiler Pro League with 25 points. Rik De Mil's side are in strong form in all competitions, having beaten Anderlecht 4-0, Aarhus 1-0, Zulte Waregem 2-0 and Standard Liege 2-1, with only a 2-0 loss at SC Braga interrupting that run. Lommel United drew 2-2 at OH Leuven last time out in all competitions and have won just one of their last five.

Team news

• Lommel United: No confirmed team news yet. Lucas Schoofs, the Lommel captain, faces his former club Gent on Sunday.
• Gent: Michel-Ange Balikwisha is doubtful after taking a heavy knock against Braga; he has not trained with the group and De Mil called his availability "limiet" for Sunday. Josue Vergara is out with a muscle injury picked up on international duty earlier this month, though he is already working individually.

What the numbers say

• Gent average 1.9 goals scored and 0.7 conceded across their last 10 matches in all competitions; Lommel United average 1.1 at both ends.
• Lommel United's recent league results in all competitions include a 5-0 defeat at Union St. Gilloise and a 1-0 home loss to Club Brugge KV.
• De Mil has stressed that Gent must improve in possession and confirm their recent results rather than focus on the points tally.
• There is no head-to-head history in the match data.

Our view

Gent arrive with the better recent results and a clear edge in attacking and defensive output, while Lommel United have found wins hard to come by. The main question is whether Gent's absentees disrupt their rhythm, with Balikwisha's fitness still to be decided.

Most likely outcome: away win - Gent's run of results in all competitions and their stronger scoring and defensive numbers point their way.