Brighton & Hove Albion vs Ajax. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats, and more

Brighton & Hove Albion FC will host AFC Ajax in the UEFA Europa League Group B 3rd round match at the American Express Community’s Stadium. The fixture will take place on Friday, October 27, beginning at 00:30 IST.

Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.

Brighton News & Current Form: 

The Seagulls are playing in the European Cup for the first time in their history. Last season, the team, first under Graham Potter and then Roberto De Zerbi, surprised the European football world by finishing sixth in the EPL. 

However, the English club started the Europa League campaign unsuccessfully. First there was a defeat from AEK FC at their own stadium (2:3), with a double on the account of João Pedro. 

In the second round the Blue and Whites played a draw with Olympique de Marseille in France (2:2), one of the goals was again scored by Pedro. In two matches, only one half really succeeded – when the Italian coach’s charges were able to get two goals against the French after the score was 2:0.

Thus, Albion now have only one point in their assets and occupy the last place in the quartet, so in this match the team needs a victory. And if you look at the whole, Brighton’s series without winning in all tournaments has already five matches.

As for the English Premier League, the Seagulls also perform quite average. At the end of nine rounds, the team has 16 points in its assets and occupies the seventh place in the standings. Brighton managed 22 times to hit the opponents’ goals and 18 times missed on their own.

Just after the match against the Greeks, Brighton’s unsuccessful stretch began. In seven matches, the team managed to win only once – in the match against outsider AFC Bournemouth (3:1). There was also a shocking defeat from Aston Villa FC with a score of 1:6. 

Last weekend the Seagulls lost to Manchester City (1:2). In this match the Citizens scored two quick goals and calmly finished the game. Brighton managed to get involved only in the second half, but scored only one goal.

In addition, Roberto De Zerbi’s wards have already fallen out of the English League Cup. In the first match of this tournament the Blue and Whites lost to Chelsea FC (0:1) and can now focus on the EPL and Europa League.

João Pedro – top scorer of Brighton and Hove Albion FC with 5 goals to his name

The team’s top scorer is João Pedro. The Brazilian scored five goals in 12 matches, four were scored from the penalty spot. In second place is Evan Ferguson, the Irishman has 4 goals in ten games. In third place is Solomon March with three goals in ten games, Kaoru Mitoma with three goals in 12 games and Pascal Gross with three goals in nine games.

Mitoma is the leader in goal assists. The Japanese has four assists in 12 games, followed by Pervis Estupiñán with three assists in eight games, Julio César Enciso with two assists in two games and Tariq Lamptey with two assists in seven games.

Before the match with Ajax, Brighton have Solly March out due to injury, who is an important player in Roberto De Zerbi’s system. Also in the upcoming meeting Jakub Moder will not be able to help, the central midfielder diagnosed with a ruptured cruciate ligament. The 24-year-old will return to action not earlier than the end of December this year. Julio Cesar Enciso will also not play – the player is out for an indefinite period of time due to a meniscus tear.

Ajax News & Current Form: 

Everyone has heard about the problems of Ajax in the current season. The team from Amsterdam is failing the current season. In the Europa League, they drew twice: with Marseille (3:3) and AEK (1:1). Now the club has two points and the third position in the Group B standings.

In the championship of the Netherlands, the collective breaks anti-records. In seven matches, the team from the capital of the country scored only five points and is in the relegation zone, on the seventeenth position in the standings, the gap from the leader PSV Eindhoven is an insane 22 points. The capital team scored 11 goals in the opponent’s goal and 16 conceded in their own.

If Brighton haven’t won in the EPL for just a month, then Sons of the Gods can’t win in the Eredivisie since August 12, that’s when Heracles Almelo FC was beaten 4:1. After those 6 matches, the club from Amsterdam does not know the taste of victories – two draws and four defeats. Together with the Europa League matches, Ajax’s winless streak reached eight matches. 

Top scorer of AFC Ajax – Mohammed Kudus with 4 goals scored

A 3:4 defeat to FC Utrecht on Sunday was followed by personnel changes. Maurice Steijn, who led the team before this season, was fired a few days ago. His replacement is now 38-year-old Hedwiges Maduro, for whom the position at Ajax is his first experience at the senior level as head coach. Prior to that, he was Steijn’s assistant. 

The top scorer of the team from Amsterdam is Mohammed Kudus. The player has four goals in three Ajax games, in second place is Steven Bergwijn with four goals in ten games, and Brian Brobbey closes the top three with three goals in 11 games. The top assist man is Borna Sosa. The Croatian has four assists in the team’s four games played, while Carlos Forbs is second with two assists in 11 games.

Ahmetcan Kaplan, Geronimo Rulli, Sivert Mannsverk, Steven Berghuis, as well as  Amourricho van Axel Dongen will not be able to help the team in the upcoming meeting. All the players are injured and are unlikely to recover for the match against Brighton. Also in the meeting with the Seagulls Dutch club will not participate the main goalkeeper Jay Gorter, who was injured in the duel with Utrecht.

Brighton form guide: W-L-L-D-D-L

Ajax form guide: L-D-L-D-L-L

Brighton vs Ajax Predicted XI:

Brighton’s possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Webster, Igor; Gilmour, Gross; Adingra, Fati, Mitoma; Ferguson.

Ajax’s possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Gorter; Gaaei, Sutalo, Hato, Sosa; Taylor, Tahirovic, Vos; Forbs, Brobbey, Bergwijn.

Statistical preview of the match Brighton vs Ajax:

• Brighton’s First XI average age is 26.9 years, Ajax’s First XI average age is 21.8 years.
• The total value of Brighton’s squad is 468 mln euros, while the value of the Dutch club is 185 mln euros.
• Bartosz Frankowski has been appointed as the center referee. The referee has already served four games this season, showing an average of 4.25 Yellow Cards and also whistles 21.50 fouls per game. 
• In the current season, Brighton’s games are served on average 10.25 standards from the corner of the field, and in Ajax’s matches – 10.11. Of these, the hosts account for an average of 6.08 corners, and the visitors – 6.33. 
• The Seagulls have scored at least twice against their opponents in their last four home matches.
• Ajax have played 16 away matches in England, with only three wins.
• Brighton is so far the only English team that has not won in European competitions this season.
• Brighton’s average individual card total per match this season is 3.08, while Ajax earn an average of two cards per meeting.  
• Brighton can’t win in 5 matches in all competitions.
• Ajax can’t win in 8 matches in all competitions.
• Ajax have conceded 3 or more goals in 4 of the last 6 encounters.
• Brighton have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 4 games.
• Brighton have only once left the pitch without scoring in their last 25 matches. 
• Brighton are averaging 1.80 goals per game in their last ten matches and conceding 2.20 goals per game.
• Ajax are averaging 1.50 goals per game in their last ten matches, while conceding an average of 2.10 goals per game.

What has been said before the match:

Italian head coach of Brighton Roberto De Zerbi, with whom the the team finally got to the Euro Cup, ahead of the meeting with Ajax:

“It is important to win tomorrow, for the players. We have to try to win every game. In the Europa League we have six games and if we want to finish in first place we have to win. We have a positive mentality, we have to play, showing the quality of the players and the play which got us into Europe.”

“The history of Ajax is incredible. They are in a difficult moment. But every year they play in Europe and play three games a week during this period. But it is football – if you are better[on the day] you will win the game whether you have the history or not. But we know it will be very difficult.”

“The fans don’t need to listen to me. They are very important for my players. They understand the moment we are in but I know they will be proud of the players, who are working harder than last season because they want to compete in the Brighton way in every game. We’re sad when we lose, we want to make our fans happy whatever the competition.”

Ex-coach of Ajax Maurice Steijn commented on his dismissal:

“This morning, I sat down with the board, and we continued our talks later this afternoon. We came to the conclusion that this is what is best for Ajax, although I regret that. Everyone who knows me knows I have done everything to take Ajax back to the place where this club belongs. But I failed to do so. I want to thank the supporters and the people I have worked with here, and I hope Ajax will find its way up again soon.”

Brighton vs Ajax Prediction:

The upcoming showdown between Brighton & Hove Albion and Ajax is primed to deliver an engrossing spectacle as both camps are navigating a challenging phase, with Brighton enduring a five-match winless streak and Ajax yet to secure a victory in their past eight outings across various competitions in their surprisingly drastic start of the 23/24 campaign, the worst in their history.

While both teams are trying to turn the tide, this fixture promises to be a goal-rich affair. This season, matches involving Brighton have featured an average of 4.17 goals, with Ajax’s games not far behind at an average of 3.33 goals per game. These statistics underscore the anticipation of an offensive style of play. Considering the attacking proclivities of both teams, a wealth of corner kicks is expected. On average, there are 10.25 corners per game in matches involving Brighton and 10.11 corners per game in Ajax’s encounters. This highlights the potential for numerous set-piece opportunities and a dynamic attacking approach. It’s worth noting that Brighton’s assertive playing style often results in a flurry of yellow cards, with an average of 3.08 per match this season. This adds a layer of tenacity and intensity to their games.

While Brighton may hold a slight advantage, Ajax remains a formidable opponent despite their recent struggles, they have all the quality to impose a goal-packed fight on counter courses.

Parimatch News staff prediction:

We say: both teams will score and the match total will be over 2.5 – Yes.