Ajax vs Galatasaray Prediction

Thursday night will see Galatasaray make the journey to Amsterdam to take on Ajax in the final match day of the Europa League. Ajax have had a very topsy-turvy tournament with ten points from seven game, they are in a brilliant spot and it would take miracles from the teams below to knock them out of their playoff spot. Their opponents going into this game are mathematically safe with their playoff spot however they are still within contention of an automatic through to the next round spot with a victory in this one depending on results elsewhere.

Key Stats

• Galatasaray are unbeaten in their last 26 matches while their opponents are coming into this game off the back of a loss
• Ajax have managed six goals in their last five games while Galatasaray have scored nine
• Galatasaray winger Yunus Akgün is currently the joint top scorer in the tournament with five goals from seven games

Team Previews, Form and Standout Players

Ajax have shown fine from in the Eredivisie, sitting second in the table and acquiring a four game win streak, the Son of the Gods are closing in on top of the table PSV. However they have been unable to translate this from into the Europa League, picking up three losses from their last three after going unbeaten in their first four. Throwing away their chance at a guaranteed knockout round spot, Ajax are confidently safe in their knockout spot and it would take something monumental from FC Twente and S.C. Braga to knock the Dutch side out of the Europa League.

In contrast to their opposition for this game, Galatsaray have displayed dominance across all competitions. Turkish manager Okan Buruk and his side are yet to suffer defeat across all competitions so far this season but have not displayed their same level of winning ways in the Turkish league as they have in their Europa League campaign. Picking up three draws on the bounce, Galatasaray find themselves just out of a guaranteed spot but a win in this game would put them into one of these spots if the results from the teams above are losses or draws.

Ajax Preview

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-Up: Pasveer; Baas, Rugani, Šutalo, Gaaei; Taylor, Henderson; Godts, Berghuis, Traoré; Brobbey

The Son of the Gods go into this game with little to no pressure for the win of this game however will want to ensure they are victorious. After a misplaced pass from youngster Kian Fitz-Jim led to RFS’s winning goal against them in their last game, Francesco Farioli may look to switch up his formation and tactics for this game, leaving the midfielder to make way for the more experienced Steven Berghuis. With their last Europa League win coming back in November, can Ajax fight back to win their last game of the table stage and take momentum into the knockout stage.

Galatasaray Preview

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-Up: Muslera; Jakobs, Bardakci, Sánchez, Sallai; Ayhan, Torreira; Yilmaz, Mertens, Akgün; Osimhen

Okan Buruk would love to keep his team unbeaten and with a win getting his side automatically into the next round, he will be looking to field his strongest squad. Buruk will be without Hakim Ziyech as he is out through personal reasons so he will not be returning to face his old club in front of the fans that put him on a pedestal. Yunus Akgün and Victor Osimhen have been a formidable pair up top for the Lions, combining for 12 goals so far in their Europa League campaign.

Head to Head Stats

This will be the first time in which Galatasaray will face off against Ajax at the famous Johan Cruyff Arena. This game also will be the first time the two teams will have battled against each other since 2014 which saw Galatasaray emerge victorious.

Betting Tips

Galatasaray have displayed a lack of fight in their recent Europa League matches and with them already in a guaranteed spot, it may cause them to play less aggressively. Ajax are looking to bounce back in this tournament and may be on hand to be the first team to defeat Galatasaray this season.

For this reason, our betting experts suggest Ajax to Win as the best value tip for this game. With odds at x/x, a bet of £10 could see a return of up to £

(odds subject to change)

Final Prediction: Ajax vs Galatasaray

Ajax 2-1 Galatasaray