Hajduk Split v Ajax: Conference League Preview

Whilst the Champions League and Europa League have been underway for a while now, the [Conference League](/sport# sports-hub/football/conference_league) is also getting underway. This means that Ajax are continuing their European campaign, starting with a match against Croatian side Hajduk Split. Ajax’s form has been very inconsistent of late and they will be looking to secure their first three points straight away. Will they take all three points back to Amsterdam? We’ll tell you more about this match and treat you to our Hajduk Split v Ajax prediction.

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Hajduk Split v Ajax preview

Will Ajax manage to beat the Croatian league leaders in this head-to-head clash? A win would mean Míchel Sanchez’s side would kick off their Conference League campaign with three points straight away. Here’s a brief look at both teams.

Current Form & Team News

Hajduk Split

It is quite an achievement that Hajduk Split are currently top of the Croatian league. Especially as it is still Dinamo Zagreb who call the shots in Croatian football. In fact, last weekend, the team managed by Gonzalo Garcia – a former player for FC Groningen and SC Heerenveen – managed to beat Dinamo Zagreb. The team from the coastal town won 2-1 thanks to a winning goal from Abdoulie Sanyang of Gambia. Can the African player also cause Ajax problems? Or will it have to come from strikers Sego Michele or Dallison de Almeida?

Ajax

Discontent is beginning to grow at Ajax. The capital club have played a number of good matches so far, but have still dropped just a few too many points. This was certainly true of last Saturday’s match against NEC. Ajax were slightly the better side, but failed to pull away, resulting in a 1-1 draw. As a result, Ajax are now fifth, five points behind leaders Feyenoord. Can the Spanish manager turn the tide and consolidate his position somewhat? Or will things go downhill for the record champions, just as they have in recent years?

Head-to-Head

Hajduk Split and Ajax have played each other twice in the past. This took place in 1995, the year the Amsterdam side won the Champions League at the expense of AC Milan. Ajax won 3–0 in Amsterdam, whilst the match in Croatia ended 0–0. In short: the Croatians have never scored against Ajax.

Predicted line-ups

Hajduk Split (4-2-3-1):

Silic, Hrgovic, Raci, Maresic, Acapandie, Fayad, Del Moral, Soticek, De Almeida, Sanyang, Sego

Ajax (4-2-3-1):

Ter Stegen, Torrents, Baas, Bouwman, Kehrer, Mokio, Klaassen, Brandt, Ouazana, Tolu, Tsygankov

Hajduk Split v Ajax betting tips

Betting tip 1: Double chance – 1X for Hajduk Split

We reckon Ajax will find it tough against the Croatian league leaders. The Amsterdam side haven’t won either of their last two matches and have conceded goals a bit too easily. For that reason, we’re backing at least a draw for the home side. A double chance – 1X for Hajduk Split gives you odds of 2.55.

Betting tip 2: Tolu Arokodare to score a goal

At Ajax, fans have been waiting a long time for Tolu Arokodare to find his form. The Nigerian has scored seven times in his last six matches for Ajax and looks to be hitting his stride. We reckon he’ll find the back of the net at the Poljud Stadium too. A goal from Tolu will earn you odds of 2.23.

Hajduk Split v Ajax Prediction

Final score: Hajduk Split 2–2 Ajax
We reckon Ajax will once again come up short of a win. We’ve already seen Ajax draw 2–2 several times this season, for example against Excelsior, Shelbourne and SC Heerenveen. We expect a similar match that will prove a tough affair for Ajax.