Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – AA Gent coach Rik De Mil will field young, less experienced players as the team hosts Westerlo tomorrow, Dec 27, 2025, seeking a home win to end the season and improve their league standing.

As VRT News reported, Gent coach Rik De Mil is turning to a group of young and less experienced players for the match against Westerlo. He said winning is very important.

“We are playing at home and cannot afford to lose,”

De Mil said before the game. The team will focus on staying alert, organized, and disciplined on the field.

“You can also force that to some extent,”

he said.

“There is pressure, but I try to handle it as best as I can for the team,”

Rik De Mil explained.

AA Gent coach Rik De Mil said,

“It’s important that the guys on the bench are also trusted and involved. You need everyone. I want to reduce the divide between the starting eleven and the rest.”

What can AA Gent do to stop their downward spiral against Westerlo?

Officials mentioned that the team has few options. Michat Skoras is suspended, and Mathias Delorge is out with an injury. Kadri and Ito are still doubtful for the game. Wilfried Kanga has returned and will be available. De Mil has prepared the younger players to step up and take responsibility. He knows the team will face a tough challenge under these circumstances.

They said that the team is in a downward spiral and is slipping in the league standings. De Mil says points are essential to stop the decline. The game will test the young players and the coach’s tactical decisions.

“They’re a strong team that has invested and has a good mentality. It won’t be easy, but we really need to end the year with a win.”

On December 27, 2025, the Belgian Pro League will see a rematch between AA Gent and Westerlo at the Planet Group Arena. The season for Gent has been a bit of a roller coaster ride so far as they have 6 wins, 5 draws and 8 losses from 19 league games this year.

The last time that Gent played in the league, they lost to Club Brugge and they have also dropped points in their last couple matches. As it stands, Gent have 26 points and are one place below Westerlo who are sitting on 28 points. The 2 teams met earlier this season on November 22, 2025, where the result was a scoreless draw.