Wolfsburg and Gent go head to head in their UEFA Champions League knockouts return leg on Tuesday night, with the German side holding a 3-2 result from the first leg in Belgium and with a huge favourite tag stuck on their back.

Rise in the right time

Following their Champions League win over Gent, Wolfsburg went on to play 1-1 with Hertha and lose to Bayern Munich (2-0), but Dieter Hecking’s charges have been able to turn their fortunes around and record back-to-back Bundesliga triumphs which will serve as huge motivation ahead of the return leg against the Belgians. Triumphs at Hannover (4-0) and over Borussia Monchengladbach have helped Wolves move up to seventh in the standings and Hecking’s men are feeling pretty confident they will be able to sore a hat-trick of wins on Tuesday and utilise their improving stretch of form. Julian Draxler is playing in excellent form at the moment and he will be the one to watch against Gent. The German midfielder netted in the 4-0 hammering of the struggling Hanover, while he also opened the scorings at Wolkswagen Arena against Monchengladbach. The 22-year-old Germany international has been a mainstay for Wolfsburg since his arrival from Schalke and has already played 19 league appearances, scoring five goals in the process.

Wolfsburg are still without Bas Dost, Sebastian Jung and Paul Seguin, who are all struggling with their respective injuries.

Gent looking for third German scalp

The Belgian champions have so far visited Germany on two occasions and were victorious in both of their games, 1-0 against Eintracht Frankfurt in 1991-92 UEFA Cup and 3-2 over Werder Bremen in the 2001 Intertoto Cup. Gent have however managed just one win out of their three last matches since the first leg defeat to Wolfsburg and will have to be very cautious as they prepare for their trip to Germany. Five wins in last ten games across competitions for Gent is underwhelming record and Hein Vanhaezebrouck will need to work his magic and motivate his team to pick up their performances and fight to stay in the competition against Wolfsburg. It will not be easy as the Wolves have proved to be a tough opponent. German side scored easy three goals at the Ghelamco Arena and looked set for a simple route to the quarter-finals, but Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s men showed great character and determination to get back in the game thorugh Sven Kums and Kalifa Coulibaly. Gent will need to put in an inspiring performance in order to turn-over the deficit.

Hein Vanhaezebrouck will not be able to call upon Thomas Matton, who is the only confirmed absentee with his foot injury, while Lasse Nielsen, Danijel Majstorovic and Brecht Dejaegere are doubtful for the clash.

Verdict

Wolfsburg have seen their form improve over the last two matches and will be looking to extend their three-match Champions League run to four on Tuesday. Gent have lost four of their last five matches on the road and are likely to suffer a beating in Germany.

Top pick: Home win    1.53 (8/15) @Bet365

Alternative pick 1: HT/FT home win    2.37 (11/8) @BetFair

Alternative pick 2: Over 2.5 goals    1.68 (13/19) @888sport