Verdict: Ajax win
Best Odds: 23/20
Bookmaker: Bet365
Looking to secure their spot at the Wanda Metropolitano next month, Ajax will welcome Tottenham to Amsterdam on Wednesday night.
Ajax
Starting with the hosts, after putting in yet another dominant display in their 4-0 win over Willem II on Sunday, Ajax lifted the KNVB Beker title and are continuing on what is becoming an outstanding campaign. With fans around the Johan Cruijff Arena still dreaming of a treble-winning season, Erik ten Hag’s side are also in pole position to lift their first domestic crown in five years. Now enjoying a six-match winning run across all competitions, including a 1-0 win in the first-leg against Spurs last week, Ajax’s youthful squad have really started to catch the eye during their exploits in Europe this year. On route to the semi-final, Wednesday’s hosts have knocked out both Juventus and defending champions Real Madrid. Tasting defeat just once since the middle of February, a huge part of the Dutch heavyweights’ revival this season has been down to their continued performances in the final third. Led by attacking talisman Dusan Tadic who has now bagged 32 goals across all competitions following his move from Southampton last summer, Ajax have scored an astonishing 165 goals this campaign, 67 more than Spurs.
Team News
Carel Eiting is the only injury absentee for the hosts, who rotated the squad for Sunday’s 4-0 KNVB Beker final victory of Willem II.
Tottenham
As for the visitors, while Ajax might be enjoying a stellar end to the year, the same cannot be said for a struggling Tottenham side. While Arsenal’s slip up against Brighton on Sunday may have all but secured another top-four finish for Mauricio Pochettino’s men, Spurs’ 1-0 loss away at Bournemouth has plenty in North London concerned. Now losing their last three matches on the bounce across all competitions, it will undoubtedly be their form on the road giving their Argentinian boss the biggest headache. Including their defeat at the Vitality over the weekend, the visitors have lost their last five matches away from North London, Spurs have also remarkably lost nine of their last 10 matches on the road. Along with continuing to struggle away from the capital, Tottenham have struggled in the final third, especially with leading goalscorer Harry Kane still sidelined. The Lilywhites have failed to find the net in each of their previous three defeats and have found the net just once in over 450 minutes of action.
Team News
Harry Kane, Harry Winks, Serge Aurier and Erik Lamela could all be missing for away side, although Son Heung-Min will return to the lineup after missing the first leg due to suspension.
Key Factors to Consider
- Ajax secured a 1-0 win when the two sides met in the first-leg last week.
- Wednesday’s hosts have also won their last six matches, scoring 19 goals.
- Ajax have scored an astonishing 165 goals this campaign, 67 more than Spurs.
- Tottenham have lost their last five matches on the road and have also lost nine of their last 10 outside of North London.
- Spurs have also failed to score in their last three consecutive matches.
Conclusion
After picking up a 1-0 win in North London last week, Ajax should see Wednesday as a golden opportunity to secure their spot in Madrid next month. Given Tottenham’s woeful record on the road by now losing their last five matches outside of the capital, we’re backing a high-flying Ajax side to come away with the victory and another European scalp in midweek.
Verdict: Ajax win
Best Odds: 23/20
Bookmaker: Bet365
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