Ajax – Brighton : Preview & Prediction
It has been an unfamiliar sight for 28-time Eredivisie champions Ajax in recent times, with a couple of back-to-back wins only enough to lift them off the bottom of the Eredivisie table. But the start to their campaign has been just as dismal, both domestically and in Europe, as they find themselves in a relegation battle and on the brink of elimination from the UEFA Europa League (UEL) group stage.
Sitting bottom of Group B, Ajax are approaching “now or never” territory, but with eight consecutive games without a win against English opposition (E1, P7), the visit of Brighton suggests they are likely headed for “never.” New manager John van ‘t Schip will be hoping to halt that run in his first UEL match in charge and, in turn, secure Ajax a third consecutive home win for the first time in 2023.
Brighton are enjoying their first European campaign and can take a giant step towards the last 16 with a win in Amsterdam. Their weekend result was not as positive, drawing 1-1 against lowly Everton, although after manager Roberto De Zerbi made five changes to that team from the previous game, it is clear they are doing their best to strike a balance between their league and European duties.
Perhaps that’s a contributing factor to Brighton’s abject run of late (G1, E4, P1), although the only win in that stretch was against Ajax, with the Seagulls winning 2-0 in October. A repeat of that result would be welcome on Brighton’s first trip to the Netherlands in UEFA competition, especially as it would see them move into the top two in Group B with just two games remaining.
Players to watch: Englishman Chuba Akpom, who has spent time in different leagues, was on loan at Brighton in 2017 and is in good form after completing the scoring in Ajax’s last two wins. Responsible for four of Brighton’s six goals in the UEL group stage, João Pedro has seen all six of his goals this season come in the 30th minute or later.
Standout Fact: The home side on duty scored exactly two goals in Brighton’s three UEL group stage matches.
Ajax – Brighton : Betting Tips
Ajax – Win Odds: 4.25
