✅Ajax vs Besiktas
⚽UEFA Europa League, KO: 20:00 Sep 26, 2024, Johan Cruyff Arena
Ajax go head-to-head against Besiktas on Thursday. Read our Predictions and Betting Tips with Match Preview, Head-to-head stats (h2h) and Team Form Analysis.
Our prediction for this Europa League match:
There will be fireworks when Ajax and Besiktas face each other at Johan Cruijff Arena in their Europa League opener. The Amsterdammers have been scoring goals for fun at home of late, but they head into Thursday’s clash following a slim 1-1 draw with Go Ahead Eagles. Midfielder Davy Klaassen is pushing for a start after scoring as a substitute at the weekend, while Steven Berghuis remains on the sidelines alongside Gaston Avila and Sivert Mannsverk. Brian Brobbey should start against Besiktas as well.
The Turkish outfit, on the other hand, defeated Eyupspor 2-1 in their last league match and given their attacking potential, we believe that there is a big value in betting on over 2.5 goals. A man to keep an eye on in the away team will be summer recruit Ciro Immobile, who has been scoring goals for fun of late, while midfielder Necip Uysal remains on the sidelines with injury. In their last meeting in a competitive match, back in November 2021, Ajax defeated Besiktas 2-1.
How the bookies view it: Ajax on top
Ajax have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 9/10 by 777PUB to claim the win. A victory for Besiktas is valued at 3/1 by JILIPARK, who is also offering odds of 13/5 for a draw.
Head to head: Perfect Ajax
Ajax did the double over Besiktas in the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League, claiming a 2-0 victory at home before a 2-1 win in the return fixture.
Ajax vs Besiktas Prediction
Ajax will be looking to forget another slow start in the domestic league as they begin European adventures in the first round of the UEFA Europa League league phase on Thursday evening.
Ajax dropped two points in a disappointing 1-1 stalemate away at Go Ahead Eagles on Saturday.
They are already nine points below leaders PSV with two games in hand. Ajax’s best performances of the season have come in the Europa League playoffs, though.
The Dutch heavyweights demolished Jagiellogia Bialystok 7-1 on aggregate over two legs.
As for Besiktas, they got off to a decent kick off to the new season in the elite class of Turkish football.
They won four and drew one of the opening five games of the campaign, netting eleven goals in the process.
We’ve six at least six goals in each of Besiktas’ two Europa League playoff ties this summer.
They’ve put eight goals past Swiss side Lugano in two matches. Also, both teams were on target in five of Besiktas’ previous six outings across competitions.
The same scenario occurred in three of Ajax’s last four Eredivisie affairs, including the 1-1 draw at Go Ahead Eagles five days ago.
Both Teams To Score looks like a great betting option at the 1.61 odds while former Lazio superstar Ciro Immobile is well worth backing to score anytime at the 3.25 odds.
Immobile bagged six goals in his previous six appearances in all competitions for Besiktas. The Italian was also on target in the weekend’s 2-1 win over Eyupspor.
Players to watch: Keep an eye on Akpom
Chuba Akpom has caught the eye for Ajax in recent times, scoring four times in the last four matches. The forward could be worth keeping an eye on to find the net once again at 6/4 with 777PUB.
Ciro Immobile is enjoying a fine start to the season for Besiktas and heads into Wednesday’s clash with eight goals in the last eight matches. The Italian forward is priced at 2/1 by JILIMACAO to maintain his scoring run.
Probable line-ups
Akpom did not feature for Ajax last weekend and could be included in the starting line-up on Thursday. Brian Brobbey could also be handed a start after coming off the bench last time out while Ahmetcan Kaplan should feature in defence.
Immobile should continue to lead the line for Besiktas with Joao Mario and Rafa providing support. Fernandes should start in midfield while Gabriel Paulista is set to retain his place in defence.
Ajax: Pasveer, Rensch, Sutalo, Kaplan, Hato, Henderson, Fitz-Jim, Klaasen, Traore, Akpom, Brobbey
Besiktas: Gunok, Uduokhai, Gabriel Paulista, Svensson, Masuaku, Al Musrati, Fernandes, Rashica, Joao Mario, Rafa, Immobile
