Ajax vs Standard Liege
UEFA Europa League – Group Stage
Date: Thursday, 29th September, 2016,
Kick-Off: 18:00 UK,
Venue: Amsterdam Arena.
Reason For Betting Tips
Ajax had an uncharacteristically poor start to their 2016/2017 campaign after their failure to claim the Eredivisie title on the final day last season. New coach Peter Bosz has, however, began to settle down and make amends since their consequent knockout from the UEFA Champions League at the end of August. Ajax come into this off the back of six consecutive competitive wins (four Eredivisie, one Europa League and one Dutch Cup win) which has seen them save face and push themselves up to 2nd in the Eredivisie. They have, however, still got plenty of work to do domestically, trailing five points behind league leaders Feyenoord. Ajax should be in high spirits as their opening 2-1 win away to Panathinaikos sees them standing top of the group coming into this.
Standard Liege should be content enough with their 1-1 draw at home to Celta de Vigo in their opening group stage match, especially after just missing out on the group stages last season. Facing Ajax on the road is, arguably, the toughest fixture of the group, however, so the Belgians should just be looking to take away any consolation from this match. Standard Liege are in decent form in the Belgian Pro League, standing in third place as one of four teams on fifteen points, and are unbeaten in five matches domestically, winning all three of their most recent matches (W3 D2).
Ajax’s return to form sees them as the bookies’ favourites for this match at 11/20. While we’re definitely inclined to agree with them on Ajax, we feel there’s better value than on just an outright home win. Ajax are seemingly “making up” for their earlier form with plenty of goals in recent matches. Ajax have scored ten goals in their last two matches (one 5-0 win and one 5-1 win) and are averaging three goals per match scored over their last six wins. Meanwhile, while Liege aren’t exactly pushovers, they have struggled with midweek Europa League away matches in recent years, losing six of their last seven under that criteria.
As such, Ajax to win and over 2.5 goals scored at 6/4 and Ajax to win 3-1 at 12/1 are our choice bets for this match.
The UEFA Europa League returns this week, Ajax Amsterdam will welcome Standard Leige on Thursday night at Amsterdam Arena.
Ajax are currently sitting on top of group G with 3 points, having defeated Panathinaikos 1-2 in the first game. The game was a tough won as 3 players were sent off in the game, Ivanov and Wakaso for Panathinaikos, H. Ziyech for Ajax.
Ajax went a goal down after 5 minutes of the play via Berg’s goal, but B. Traore pulled them level while Riedewald gave them the lead in 67th minute as they won 1-2. The home team will enter this game form a 5-1 win in the Eredivisie last Saturday as they hope to extend their winning streak.
Meanwhile, Standard Leige drew the first game of the competition at home against Celta Vigo, as it ended 1-1. Standard Leige took the lead just after 3 minutes, but Celta Vigo replied 10 minutes later through G. Rossi and the game ended that way.
Standard Leige will come into this game on the back of 3-0 home win against AS Eupen on Sunday, B. Raman, Edmilson Junior and I. Belfodil all netted in the game as they thrashed their visitors. They now hope to win this game and go top of the group table.
Ajax vs Standard Liege: Head to Head Statistics
Ajax and Leige have never played against each other before, this will be their first game against each other.
Ajax vs Standard Liege: prediction
Ajax will enter the game as the favorites, considering their superb form recently. They are currently on a 6-game winning streak in all competitions. Also, Ajax have kept clean sheets in 4 of their last 6 games. They have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 games and they have scored 5 goals each in their last 2 games.
Standard Leige have been on a fluctuating form, they have won 3 games in their last 6 in all competitions. Also they have drawn twice and lost once. They have kept clean sheets in 3 games out of their last 6 games in all competitions.
Ajax will claim all 3 points at home, but it won’t be an easy game for them as i expect Leige to get on the score sheet.
Ajax vs Standard Liege: Betting Tips
Ajax to win and over 2.5 goals
Both teams to score.
