Eintracht Frankfurt vs Ajax Prediction - Europa League
Thursday sees Eintracht Frankfurt host Ajax at Deutsche Bank Park in the Europa League Round of 16. The stakes are high as both sides contend for a spot in the last eight, making this an unmissable fixture for fans of European football.
Eintracht Frankfurt holds a slight advantage after a 2-1 away win in the first leg. They are physically imposing and boast a better home record, with only two losses in twelve games. Despite some injury woes, they’re favored by the bookmakers to clinch victory again. Weather conditions are expected to be chilly, with overcast clouds and temperatures around 6°C.
Ajax faces an uphill battle. Needing to recover from their first-leg loss, they also deal with significant squad issues, including the absence of key players due to injuries. Coach Francesco Farioli has submitted a special request to field Matheus as their goalkeeper due to Remko Pasveer’s injury. Should UEFA deny this request, Jay Gorter is set to guard the net.
Our prediction: Eintracht Frankfurt will likely triumph at home, leveraging their physicality and tactical strengths. Expect a closely fought contest, but Frankfurt edges it out to advance.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Ajax Prediction & Betting tip
| Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Ajax Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Eintracht Frankfurt to Win | 1.93 |
Eintracht Frankfurt to win is our top betting tip for this exciting Europa League clash.
- Eintracht Frankfurt leads the tie and is playing at home, which gives them a solid advantage.
- They are the bookmaker’s favourites and have consistently been physically better in recent matches.
- Ajax has significant squad issues, including injuries and suspensions, making it a challenging game for them to secure a win.
Expect Frankfurt to use their home ground advantage to edge out a hard-fought win.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Ajax Odds
The upcoming Europa League clash between Eintracht Frankfurt and Ajax has the bookmakers leaning towards a win for the home side. Eintracht Frankfurt, fresh from their first-leg victory, is tipped to come out on top again in front of their home crowd. Here are the betting odds for this encounter:
| Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Ajax Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | 1.93 |
| Draw | 3.68 |
| Ajax | 3.72 |
Eintracht Frankfurt carries the favourite tag, reflecting their home advantage and recent form. Ajax faces an uphill battle not only due to their injury woes but also needing a win to overturn a deficit from the first leg. The odds make it clear that Frankfurt’s physical and tactical advantage is recognised by the bookmakers.
Eintracht Frankfurt Team Analysis
Eintracht Frankfurt’s recent form has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. The team has secured only two wins in their last five matches but managed a crucial 1-2 victory against Ajax in the first leg. Here’s a look at their recent performances:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Eintracht Frankfurt | Union Berlin | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Ajax | Eintracht Frankfurt | 1-2 (Win) |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | Bayer Leverkusen | 1-4 (Loss) |
| Bayern Munich | Eintracht Frankfurt | 4-0 (Loss) |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | Holstein Kiel | 3-1 (Win) |
Frankfurt averages 1.40 goals per game in their last five outings but has not managed a single clean sheet, indicating defensive vulnerabilities. Despite these mixed results, their physical dominance and solid home form make them confident going into this match.
Eintracht Frankfurt Key Players
Eintracht Frankfurt will rely heavily on key players such as Hugo Larsson, who has scored 1 goal in the competition. Michy Batshuayi, leading the line, will be crucial in breaking down Ajax’s defense, especially given his aerial prowess. The midfield duo of Hugo Larsson and Oscar Höjlund is expected to drive the team forward. Nnamdi Collins, suspended for this match, means Tuta and Niels Nkounkou will anchor the defense. Kevin Trapp’s experience in goal will be pivotal in maintaining solidity at the back.
Expected lineup for Eintracht Frankfurt:
- Goalkeeper: Kevin Trapp
- Defenders: Rasmus Kristensen, Tuta, Niels Nkounkou
- Midfielders: Ansgar Knauff, Hugo Larsson, Oscar Höjlund, Nathaniel Brown
- Attackers: Jean Bahoya, Can Uzun, Michy Batshuayi
Eintracht Frankfurt Suspensions & Injuries
Eintracht Frankfurt will be dealing with several key absences ahead of their clash against Ajax, which could affect their performance and overall team dynamics.
Suspensions
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Nnamdi Collins | Yellow cards | 1 match ban remaining |
Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Igor Matanovic | Foot injury | Mid March 2025 |
| Timothy Chandler | Hip injury | Late March 2025 |
| Aurèle Amenda | Muscle injury | Late March 2025 |
| Arthur Theate | Calf injury | Early April 2025 |
With Nnamdi Collins suspended, Tuta and Niels Nkounkou will need to step up in defense. Injuries to key players like Igor Matanovic and Arthur Theate might weaken their depth, making it crucial for others to fill the gap.
Eintracht Frankfurt Tactics and Formation
Eintracht Frankfurt Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Key Forward: Michy Batshuayi
- Midfield Duo: Hugo Larsson, Oscar Höjlund
- Defensive Setup: Rasmus Kristensen, Tuta, Niels Nkounkou
- Notable Strategy: High pressing and physicality
With Dino Toppmöller at the helm, Eintracht Frankfurt has adopted a 4-3-3 formation characterized by a high-pressing style and physical dominance. Given their impressive physical attributes, they’re expected to maximize aerial duels and second balls.
Michy Batshuayi leads the attack, likely supported by the creativity of Jean Bahoya and Can Uzun. In midfield, Hugo Larsson and Oscar Höjlund will be pivotal in transitioning play and maintaining possession. The defense, despite the absence of Nnamdi Collins, remains robust with Tuta and Niels Nkounkou expected to form a solid backline.
This tactical setup should leverage Frankfurt’s physical strength and home advantage at Deutsche Bank Park.
Ajax Team Analysis
Ajax’s recent form has been quite good, with three wins in their last five matches, although they began with two losses.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| PEC Zwolle | Ajax | 0-1 (Win) |
| Ajax | Eintracht Frankfurt | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Almere City FC | Ajax | 0-1 (Win) |
| Ajax | Go Ahead Eagles | 2-0 (Win) |
| Ajax | Union St.Gilloise | 0-2 (Loss, Extra time: 1-0) |
In these games, Ajax has shown resilience, managing to keep 3 clean sheets. Their defense, led by Matheus in goal and supported by defenders like Anton Gaaei and Josip Sutalo, although the team’s average of 1.20 goals scored per game suggests room for improvement in attack. Coach Francesco Farioli will likely aim to maintain their defensive solidity while looking for more consistent goal-scoring opportunities.
Ajax Key Players
Ajax boasts a mixture of youth and experience, with several players expected to be pivotal in their encounter against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Expected lineup for Ajax:
- Goalkeeper: Jay Gorter
- Defenders: Anton Gaaei, Josip Sutalo, Youri Baas, Jorrel Hato
- Midfielders: Jorthy Mokio, Kian Fitz-Jim, Kenneth Taylor
- Attackers: Bertrand Traore, Brian Brobbey, Mika Godts
Key individuals for Ajax include Brian Brobbey, who will be leading the attack, and Kenneth Taylor, a consistent performer in midfield. Their creativity and skill in the midfield and forward positions will be central to their approach.
Battles to watch:
- Brian Brobbey vs. Tuta
- Mika Godts vs. Rasmus Kristensen
These matchups could significantly influence the game’s outcome.
Ajax Suspensions & Injuries
For Ajax, several suspensions and injuries play a significant role in shaping their squad ahead of the encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt. Here’s the detailed overview:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Amourricho van Axel Dongen | Knock injury | Doubtful |
| Owen Wijndal | Knock injury | Doubtful |
| Youri Regeer | Ankle injury | Doubtful |
| Wouter Weghorst | Broken finger | Mid-March 2025 |
| Christian Rasmussen | Hamstring injury | Late March 2025 |
| Remko Pasveer | Groin injury | Early April 2025 |
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Henderson | Yellow cards | 1 match ban |
The absence of key players like Christian Rasmussen and Jordan Henderson (due to suspension) could hinder Ajax’s tactical execution and depth, making the clash with Eintracht Frankfurt even more challenging. The coach will need to adjust strategies and rely on squad depth to compensate for these losses.
Ajax Tactics and Formation
Ajax’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Key Forward: Brian Brobbey
- Midfield Trio: Jorrel Hato, Kian Fitz-Jim, Kenneth Taylor
- Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy: Solid control in the midfield to maintain possession.
Ajax aims to leverage their 4-3-3 formation, focusing on quick, cohesive play down the wings and creating opportunities for their centre-forward, Brian Brobbey. Their midfield, anchored by Jorrel Hato, Kian Fitz-Jim, and Kenneth Taylor, looks to dominate possession and provide support both defensively and offensively. Despite their injury woes, Ajax will need to rely on their defensive resilience, which has seen them keep three clean sheets in recent matches, to counter Eintracht Frankfurt’s physicality.
