Ajax vs Benfica. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats and more
AFC Ajax will host SL Benfica at Johan Cruijff Arena in the UEFA Champions League round of 16. The match will take place on February 15, beginning at 01:30 IST.
The first UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists have been decided, with the names of the others to be revealed this week. There are two meetings on Tuesday. Manchester United take on Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford in England, while Portugal’s Benfica visit Ajax in Amsterdam.
The choice what match to watch will have to be made. Although, frankly, it’s still a question of which banner is more attractive. The clash in Manchester is undoubtedly a great one because of the names, but the first leg between the Dutch and Portuguese was far more entertaining, we saw beautiful atacking football, plenty of moments and goals.
We’ll tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.
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Ajax News & Current Form:
Ajax got off to a strong start in the current Champions League tournament, with a maximum of 18 out of a possible 18 points at the group stage, which brought them first place. At this stage, the Ajaxids beat Sporting, Besiktas and Borussia Dortmund. Moreover, they outscored their closest pursuer by as many as nine points.
The first game between the opponents, played in Portugal a fortnight ago, ended in a 2-2 draw. The Netherlands were twice ahead, but Lisbon found the strength to level each time.
Since that game, the Sons of God have played four games, all of them in domestic competitions. First, they suffered a surprise 1-2 defeat at the hands of Go-Ehead Eagles. After that, Ajax managed to knock AZ Alkmaar out of the Dutch Cup and also scored two consecutive 3-2 wins – over Valvejk and Camborne.
Thus, after 26 rounds, the capital club have recorded 20 wins and three peaceful results in the Eredivisie, which brought them 63 points and first position.
Injured: Maarten Stekelenburg, Sean Klaiber, Jay Gorter, Remko Pasveer. Doubtful: Brian Brobbey, Noussair Mazraoui.
Benfica News & Current Form:
Benfica maintained complete parity in the Champions League group stage, winning, losing and drawing twice each, scoring seven goals in six games and conceding nine.
The group was not an easy one: Bayern, Barcelona and Dynamo Kyiv. The Portuguese were not initially favourites in this group, but eventually took advantage of the Catalan team’s crisis to move into second place, which clinch a play-off spot.
In the domestic league, Lisbon have not had their best season. In the Portuguese Premiera table, they sit in third place, behind Porto and Sporting. Nelson Verissimo’s side have 58 points on their books after 26 games. But it must be admitted that Sporting are only three points behind the other side and overall stats indicate that the situation can be easily improved.
After playing against Ajax, Benfica beat Guimarães at home, then won on the road against Portimonensi and, in the last round of the Portuguese championship, failed to beat Vizela at home.
Injured: Lucas Verissimo. Doubtful: Rodrigo Pinho, Haris Seferovic.
Ajax season form guide (all competitions): W-D-L-W-W-W
Benfica season form guide (all competitions): W-D-D-W-W-D
Ajax vs Benfica Head-To-Head Record:
| Ajax | Draw | Benfica |
| 3 | 3 | 1 |
In the history of face-offs between these clubs, they have played seven meetings in which the Eagles have won only once, the Amsterdam side have won three times and there have been three draws.
Ajax vs Benfica Predicted XI:
Ajax Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): André Onana (GK); Nicolás Tagliafico, Jurrien Timber, Perr Schuurs, Daley Blind; Edson Alvarez, Davy Klaassen; Antony, Steven Berghuis, Dusan Tadic; Sebastien Haller
Benfica Predicted XI (4-4-2): Odysseas Vlachodimos (GK); Valentino Lazaro, Nicolas Otamendi, Jan Vertonghen, Alejandro Grimaldo; Rafa Silva, Adel Taarabt, Julian Weigl, Everton; Roman Yaremchuk, Darwin Nunez
Statistical preview of the match Ajax vs Benfica:
- It should be noted that Ajax have not suffered a single defeat in the current Champions League competition. They have won six games, with one draw
- In 5 of the 6 Champions League encounters with Ajax, more than 3 goals have been scored in total.
- Ajax have won three games in a row in all competitions, while Benfica are on a seven-game unbeaten streak.
- It is impossible not to mention the fantastic performance of the Amsterdam side in the attacking line, which differed 77 times, while the team conceded only 11 goals. The team really scores a lot (in comparison, the super attacking Liverpool scored 73 goals in 28 rounds).
- The Portuguese are scoring far less: 55 goals and 20 conceded.
What has been said before the match:
Erik ten Hag before the match:
“It is indeed an important game. Logically, we will focus on the next match against Benfica. Then we will look further. The result in Lisbon certainly offers perspective, but then we have to do several things better. If that happens, we have a chance.”
“It’s simple. In 2022, as a whole, we are doing well. For example, look at the victory in the cup at AZ and the result in Lisbon. If tomorrow’s game is a bit better than the previous matches in the league, I have confidence in a good result. We have to be very good tomorrow, especially on the ball. Making better choices and being accurate, if we do that we can dominate the game and reach a very high level.”
“The public will be behind us tomorrow. If the interaction is good and we bring quality to the field, then that should yield a result. The atmosphere brings something extra. Not only for us, but also for our family and friends who come. It gives energy. The Champions League is the highest level for clubs, we want to succeed tomorrow”
ten Hag said.
Nélson Veríssimo described the upcoming match:
“We expect an open game between two teams that like to keep possession and dictate their own game. We are playing away, at the opponent’s home ground, and we expect a strong start from Ajax. We have to be competent and have a very high activity level, as was the case in the past, and recognise that the opponent is strong in some offensive moments, but has some weaknesses. Depending on our game idea, we have to take advantage of those weaknesses. As both teams like to have the ball, there will be moments when one team will be more defensively concentrated.”
“We have to know how to recognise the different situations in the match and take advantage of them, whether it’s in attacking organisation or in transition moments. We also have to be competent in the defensive process, because we have to recognise that Ajax, in possession, have a lot of quality. We are very confident about the match We want to play a good match, win and go on to the next round of the Champions League.”
he said.
Ajax vs Benfica Prediction:
These are worthy opponents and the first game proved that both teams have serious attacking potential. Today, we expect a repeat of the first game, with the quarter-finals of the main club competition on the line. We expect an abundance of attacking and goal-scoring chances for the teams. In the last three head-to-head matches, oppontets have been exchanging goals, which we can’t rule out today.
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Parimatch News staff prediction:
We say: Both teams to score and the match total over 2.5 – Yes.