Ajax v FC Sion: Conference League Preview

On Thursday evening, Ajax are hoping to secure a place in the group stage of the Conference League. Following last week’s 4-2 victory over FC Sion, the Amsterdam side have one foot in the main competition and it looks as though their participation in European football is a certainty. And yet, last week’s match was certainly not plain sailing. Especially as the score was still level with just a quarter of an hour to go. We’ll tell you more about the return leg in the Dutch capital and give you our Ajax v FC Sion prediction.

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Ajax v FC Sion preview

Can Ajax treat the more than fifty thousand supporters at the Johan Cruijff Arena to a great match? Or will it be a long, drawn-out affair for the ever-critical crowd, just like in the home match against SC Heerenveen? Here’s a brief look at both teams.

Current Form & Team News

Ajax

There is still more than enough work to be done at Ajax. Following the departures of Ko Itakura and Josip Sutalo, a significant gap has opened up in the defence, whilst Mika Godts has yet to find a successor for the left-wing position. However, the club did sign Victor Tsygankov. The right winger is set to join from Girona for a fee of just under €5,000,000. Will we see a few other new signings shine against FC Sion? Or will it still have to come from veterans such as Davy Klaassen and Steven Berghuis?

FC Sion

Disappointment reigned at FC Sion following last week’s 2-4 defeat. The former club of Mario Balotelli and Gennaro Gattuso, among others – two giants of Italian football – took a 1-0 lead and, with a quarter of an hour to go, still seemed to be heading for a good result. Thanks to what ultimately turned out to be a heavy defeat, a place in the group stage of the Conference League suddenly seems an extremely distant prospect. Or will they spring a massive surprise against the side that has been crowned European champions four times in the past? It is clear that manager Didier Tholot is not giving up and may well pull a rabbit out of the hat.

Head-to-Head

Ajax and FC Sion played each other for the first time in history last week. Ajax deservedly won that match, although there is little else to say about the head-to-head record between the two sides.

Predicted line-ups

Ajax (4-3-3):

Ter Stegen, Henrique, Baas, Bouwman, Rosa, Regeer, Klaassen, Brandt, Gloukh, Leonardo, Berghuis

FC Sion (4-2-3-1):

Racioppi, Hefti, Kronig, Sow, Lavanchy, Baltazar, Kabacalman, Surdez, Boteli, Chouaref, Nivokazi

Ajax v FC Sion betting tips

Betting tip 1: Over 3.5 goals

Ajax and European football seem to be a recipe for success this season. Why? Because in the five matches played so far (twice against Vojvodina, twice against Shelbourne and once against FC Sion), there have been four or more goals in every game. We reckon the same will happen in the home match against the Swiss side. Over 3.5 goals will earn you odds of 1.74.

Betting tip 2: Marcos Leonardo will score a goal

Admittedly, it can look rather awkward at times, but Marcos Leonardo does seem to be slowly getting the hang of it. He’s regularly in the right place and scored the 2–1 goal in the away match against FC Sion. We reckon someone like Julian Brandt will pick him out again, leading to the Brazilian scoring a goal. This will earn you odds of 2.05.

Prediction: Ajax v FC Sion

Final score: Ajax 3–1 FC Sion
We expect Ajax to dominate and win this match. However, we do think the record champions of the Netherlands will concede at least one goal, particularly as their defence is not yet solid enough. We therefore believe a 3–1 victory for Ajax is a likely outcome.