Champions League – Ajax vs Benfica Prediction - bettingexpert
Both these clubs would have regarded the round of 16 draw as positive, giving them a good chance of progressing in the Champions League this season. The first leg in Lisbon certainly showed that they would be going all out to outscore the opposition – with the game ending in a 2-2 draw.
With no away goals rule to take into consideration, that would leave both sides all square going into this one on Tuesday. But Ajax will be the favourites to make the quarter final stage, playing in front of their own fans at the raucous Johan Cruyff Arena.
Ajax vs Benfica Recent Form
Although Ajax remain at the top of the Eredivisie, the Amsterdam club surprisingly lost to Go Ahead Eagles the other week to ruin what had been a seven-game winning streak. They have since got back to winning ways though and have a domestic cup final to look forward to in April as well.
Benfica scraped through their Champions League group – thanks largely to taking four points off Barcelona – and have recently put together some good results in the Portuguese league. Early season defeats probably mean that the title is beyond them however, leaving the Champions League as their only chance of further glory this season.
Ajax vs Benfica Recent Matchups
Although Ajax have traditionally enjoyed match ups between these two, they have always been close affairs. The dramatic first leg at the Estadio da Luz certainly lived up to that and more of the same can probably be expected in Amsterdam.
Sebastian Haller was the Champions League top goal scorer at that time even and managed to find the net at both ends in a pulsating game that was probably one of the highlights of the first leg ties.
Ajax vs Benfica Stats and Analysis
Ajax successfully navigated a potentially tricky group stage to win all six games while conceding five goals. They have also managed to let in just nine goals in 25 league games and have scored a very impressive 74 at the other end. The Champions League is a different prospect though – as the first leg showed.
Benfica have also proved prolific in their domestic league. They have tended to concede more goals though – and that has been one of the reasons why they have fallen behind Sporting and Porto at the top. They had been far more conservative in the Champions League before the first leg of this tie, so it will be interesting to see which version of the side turn up on Tuesday.
Ajax vs Benfica Prediction: Betting Tips
Ajax are the favourites to win this one and qualify for the quarter finals but the price for a straight home win is not that attractive. It might be worth taking a look at the Ajax win and both teams to score market instead – that offers around 2.37 and looks far more enticing.
But if the first leg is anything to by, there will be goals at the Johan Cruyff Arena as both sides go on the attack. If you think that might be the way the game goes, odds of 3.40 for Ajax to win and over 4.5 goals to be scored might be of interest.
