SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 20 hrs 52 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
A
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 25, 2020 at 8pm UK
Johan Cruijff Arena
M

Ajax
3 - 1
Midtjylland

Gravenberch (47'), Mazraoui (49'), Neres (66')
Neres (40')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Mabil (80' pen.)
Madsen (43')
Sviatchenko (90+1')

Preview: Ajax vs. FC Midtjylland - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Ajax vs. FC Midtjylland - prediction, team news, lineups: ID:423396: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Champions League clash between Ajax and FC Midtjylland, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Ajax face FC Midtjylland in the Champions League on Wednesday evening with the opportunity to strengthen their hold of second place in Group D.

Meanwhile, their opponents make the trip to the Netherlands looking to end a run of three successive defeats in this competition.


Match preview

Having sold Hakim Ziyech and Donny van de Beek, Ajax do not possess the same level of quality as they did when going agonisingly close to reaching the 2019 final.

Nevertheless, Erik ten Hag continues to move the club in the right direction, and their 2-2 draw at Atalanta BC on matchday two could prove to be the difference between qualification and demotion to the Europa League.

Ajax let slip a 2-0 advantage in that game, but they remain ahead of the Italian side ahead of an opportunity to record a double over Midtjylland.

The Dutch giants made hard going of beating the Danes in their own backyard, holding on to a 2-1 advantage for the final 72 minutes after early goals from Antony and Dusan Tadic.

Ajax have now gone six matches without defeat in all competitions, their latest victory coming by a 5-0 scoreline at home to Heracles in Sunday's Eredivisie fixture.

Midtjylland have been competitive during their debut appearance in the group stages, proving stubborn opposition for Liverpool before they pushed Ajax ahead of the November international break.

The setback in the reverse fixture was their third successive defeat in all competitions, but Brian Priske's side have responded with the same amount of victories in a row.

While that has been enough to keep the club at the top of the domestic standings, conceding 12 goals from nine matches suggests that they still have improvements to make in defence.

At the other end, forward Sory Kaba has netted in his last two appearances, improving on his previous return of one strike in half-a-dozen outings.

Ajax Champions League form: LDW
Ajax form (all competitions): WDWWWW

FC Midtjylland Champions League form: LLL
FC Midtjylland form (all competitions): LLLWWW


Team News

Ajax are expected to be without Davy Klaassen, Antony and Mohammed Kudus for the game on Wednesday night.

As well as Klaassen, Noussair Mazraoui was also withdrawn with an injury against Heracles at the weekend.

Zakaria Labyad and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp are both pushing for a starting role in midfield.

Evander will miss out for Midtjylland after recording a positive coronavirus test, while Oliver Olsen and Kristian Riis remain out through injury.

Priske has named the same starting XI for the first three matches in Group D.

Ajax possible starting lineup:
Onana; Klaiber, Schuurs, Martinez, Tagliafico; Labyad, Blind, Gravenberch; Neres, Traore, Tadic

FC Midtjylland possible starting lineup:
Andersen; Andersson, Sviatchenko, Scholz, Paulinho; Onyeka, Cajuste; Dreyer, Sisto, Mabil; Kaba


We say: Ajax 3-1 FC Midtjylland

Facing a four-point deficit, Midtjylland have little choice but to throw caution to the wind on Wednesday evening. However, that will only play into Ajax's favour, and the Dutch giants should have more than enough quality in the final third to record a comfortable win.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data




amp_article__423396 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-11-23 21:08:14:
html db last update - 2021-03-10 04:56:16 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Read more!
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1PSV EindhovenPSV26233081136872
2Feyenoord26195266214562
3FC Twente26165549252453
4AZ AlkmaarAZ26147553233049
5Ajax26118757471041
6NECNijmegen26109750401039
7Go Ahead Eagles2610793835337
8FC UtrechtUtrecht269983133-236
9Fortuna SittardSittard2697103344-1134
10Sparta RotterdamSparta2687113338-531
11Heerenveen2694134249-731
12Almere CityAlmere City2679102643-1730
13PEC Zwolle2677123447-1328
14Heracles2675143358-2526
15SBV ExcelsiorExcelsior26410123957-1822
16RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk2664162443-1922
17Vitesse2645172153-3217
18FC VolendamVolendam2635182667-4114
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .