Still unbeaten in this season's competition, Europa League leaders Lazio will visit Ajax at Johan Cruijff ArenA on Thursday.

The clubs' first-ever meeting takes place with the Italian side leading their Dutch counterparts by three points in the standings, and both are on course for automatic entry to the last 16.

Match preview

Last time out in the Europa League, Ajax were beaten 2-0 by Real Sociedad in San Sebastian, striking the post twice as they lost for the first time in this year's league phase.

The Amsterdam giants have won both of their two home games, though - thumping Besiktas 4-0 and putting five past Maccabi Tel Aviv without reply - and a tally of 10 points leaves them sixth in the table with three rounds remaining.

Nevertheless, their grasp on an all-important top-eight position has been loosened, and only an impressive goal difference now separates them from the playoff places.

In addition to scoring freely, only Lazio and Athletic Bilbao have conceded fewer goals so far, while Ajax have also kept three clean sheets - in addition to six on the domestic scene.

However, Francesco Farioli's side slumped to a rare league defeat against AZ Alkmaar on Sunday, soon after settling for a 2-2 home draw with surprise package Utrecht, and they occupy third place in the Eredivisie - nine points adrift of leaders PSV Eindhoven.

After seeing a 12-match unbeaten streak in the Dutch league finally ended, Ajax must now switch focus to continental concerns: having failed to win any of their last 12 home games against Italian opposition, Farioli will be keen to halt that run when hosting his countrymen.

Although Lazio picked up another point in their last Europa League outing, drawing 0-0 at home to Ludogorets, their 100% record in the inaugural league phase came to its end.

Still top of the table on 13 points, having been joined on that mark by Eintracht Frankfurt, the Rome club are very much on track for automatic qualification to the last 16.

In Marco Baroni's first season as Biancocelesti boss, his squad have exceeded expectations thus far, and a recent double victory over former Serie A leaders Napoli has increased their chances of competing on three fronts.

Days after knocking their Neapolitan counterparts out of the Coppa Italia, Lazio repeated the feat at Stadio Maradona last weekend, when Gustav Isaksen's late winner left them just three points shy of new front-runners Atalanta BC.

The unmistakable glint of silverware can be seen, but Baroni will be aware that his free-scoring team can still improve in one particular department.

Imperious at Stadio Olimpico, all four of Lazio's domestic defeats have arrived on the road; so leaving Amsterdam with three points would go a long way to proving their mettle.

Team News

After suffering defeat in the absence of captain Jordan Henderson, who remained on the bench due to a hamstring issue last weekend, Ajax are set to recall the former England midfielder on Thursday.

Devyne Rensch may also return from a layoff, but Sivert Mannsverk has been ruled out and Owen Wijndal must serve a suspension.

Left-winger Mika Godts appeared as a substitute against AZ and could now start, possibly replacing Chuba Akpom, who has deputised in a less favoured position.

Godts and Kenneth Taylor are the hosts' leading marksmen in this season's league phase with three goals apiece, and the latter could become just the second player to score in four consecutive UEFA Cup or Europa League home appearances for Ajax, following in the footsteps of Dennis Bergkamp, who notched five in a row from 1991 to 1992.

Meanwhile, Spanish veteran Pedro has been Lazio's top scorer in their latest European campaign - also on three goals - and he could come back into the Biancocelesti's lineup as Marco Baroni makes changes ahead of Monday's league clash with Inter Milan.

A hat-trick hero in the recent cup win over Napoli, Dutch forward Tijjani Noslin should also feature at Johan Cruijff ArenA, while star striker Taty Castellanos may keep his place due to being suspended for the game against Inter.

Blessed with a full squad, Baroni will welcome back midfielder Matias Vecino from injury, and Nicolo Rovella is available after serving a one-match ban.

Ajax possible starting lineup:
Pasveer; Gaaei, Sutalo, Kaplan, Hato; Van den Boomen, Henderson, Taylor; Berghuis, Weghorst, Godts

Lazio possible starting lineup:
Mandas; Lazzari, Gigot, Patric, Pellegrini; Rovella, Dele-Bashiru; Tchaouna, Pedro, Noslin; Castellanos

We say: Ajax 1-2 Lazio

Having already proved that their squad can cope with rotation, Lazio can travel to the Netherlands full of confidence that an unbeaten Europa League run will continue.

The Aquile could even fly home with maximum points, leaving a faltering Ajax side in some danger of missing out on a precious top-eight finish.


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