Jol expects Real best

Ajax manager Martin Jol said he is expecting a near full-strength Real Madrid side to be named for their Champions League clash on Tuesday.

The Spanish giants have already guaranteed their spot in the Round of 16, but Jol’s side remains one point behind AC Milan in the group standings with two matches to play and require a positive result against Madrid to leapfrog the European Champions.

Jol said he does not think the Group G leaders will field a weakened side, despite having already secured their place in the next round.

“I expect Jose Mourinho to be eager to win the remaining two matches of the group stage as well. Sami Khedira and Gonzalo Higuain will miss the match due to injury, but I expect all the others to be there,” Jol said.

“Mourinho is a great coach and he always lets the big players play in this kind of games. He always gets the best out of the teams he coaches.”

Jol knows it will not be an easy task to dismantle the La Liga leaders, up against the manager that took Inter Milan to a treble of titles last term – including the Champions League.

“Jose Mourinho is a great trainer because he is capable of bringing out the best in his team,” Jol said.

“Real Madrid is favourite to win La Liga and Champions League, they are playing very well and they always have a lot of really good players and then the absence of one player is not a problem for them.”

Jol will have to try and navigate a victory at the Amsterdam Arena minus the services of winger Urby Emanuelson – who is unavailable due to an ankle injury – though left-back Vurnon Anita is expected to be fit to play despite missing Ajax’s 0-0 draw against PSV Eindhoven on Saturday in the Eredivisie.