Prediction: Ajax vs Atalanta

Prediction: Ajax to win 2-1

Best Odds: 15/2

Bookmaker: Betfair

Ajax and Atalanta will face each other in the Champions League this week. The Group D game at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam is slated to kick off at 5:55pm UK time on Wednesday evening.

Ajax

Ajax are third in Champions League Group D at the moment with seven points from five matches. The Eredivisie club are just a point behind second-placed Atalanta and five points behind leaders Liverpool. The Reds have already won the group and have progressed to the last-16 stage of Europe’s premier club competition, and the runners-up spot is between Ajax and Atalanta.

Erik ten Hag’s side will head into the match against Atalanta high on confidence and will be determined to get the job done. Although Ajax lost 1-0 to Liverpool away from home at Anfield in the Champions League last week, they drew 2-2 with Atalanta in Italy back in October

Team news:

Mohammed Kudus, Noussair Mazraoui and David Neres are injured and will not play for Ajax. Sean Klaiber could start at right-back, while Dusan Tadic will be the creator-in-chief.

Atalanta

Atalanta reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season and will be determined to make it through to the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition yet again this campaign. The Serie A outfit need just a draw with Ajax in Amsterdam to finish runners-up in Group D and earn a spot in the last 16.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side did not play at the weekend, as their Serie A match against Udinese away from home was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Atalanta had to settle for a 1-1 draw with FC Midtjylland at home in the Champions League last week which followed a 2-0 defeat to Hellas Verona in the league.

Team news:

Robin Gosens and Aleksey Miranchuk will not play for Atalanta after testing positive for coronavirus, while Mattia Caldara is injured.

Key Factors to Consider

• Ajax have lost their past two competitive matches.
• Atalanta have won one of their last six games in all competitions.
• Ajax’s last nine goals have been scored by nine different players.
• Atalanta have won their last four away matches in Europe.
• Ajax have lost three of their last five European matches in Amsterdam.

Conclusion

This is essentially a winner-takes-all game, and although Atalanta need just a draw, the way they play means that they will be going for the win. There should be goals in this game, and Ajax might just score one more than Atalanta.

Prediction: Ajax to win 2-1

Best Odds: 15/2

Bookmaker: Betfair