Ajax vs Union Berlin – Betting Preview
Having posted four draws in five league fixtures, Ajax dropped off the pace in the Dutch top flight, but the introduction of Johnny Heitinga has instigated a change in fortunes.
The former defender has recorded four victories in a row after moving up from Ajax’s reserve team, scoring 13 goals in those four games!
Ajax Preview
Although Ajax has only played FC Twente, who are currently in fifth place, and that game took place in the KNVB Beker, they needed this comeback if they were to win any hardware this year.
Even after three straight victories in the league, Ajax is still three points behind league-leading Feyenoord, who have lost four points during the same span.
Ajax competed in the Champions League during the first part of the season, placing third in a group that also included Napoli and Ajax.
Heitinga may choose to keep changes to a minimum for this fixture, potentially making just one alteration to bring Brian Brobbey back into the team.
That would likely see Francisco Conceicao drop out with Dusan Tadic moving out wide to feature on the left flank.
Union Berlin Preview
Union Berlin had a strange string of outcomes in their Europa League contests, with each game concluding in a 1-0 victory.
The German team won four victories with that precise scoreline in their favour, two of which came against Malmo, after dropping the first two games against Union SG and Braga.
Urs Fischer will want to see his squad advance as far as they can in this competition, but he will also be concerned about maintaining their momentum in the Bundesliga.
Union Berlin has transformed in recent years from underdogs to title contenders; at the moment, the Iron Ones are only one point behind Bayern Munich, the defending champions.
Five victories have been posted in a row, the most recent coming at the home ground of in-form RB Leipzig last time out.
Fischer will be forced into making at least one change to his Union Berlin XI with Janik Haberer serving a one-match ban for three yellow cards.
Either Morten Thorsby or Paul Seguin are in line to be handed a recall, but further rotation is a possibility with Timo Baumgartl, Jerome Roussillon and Jordan Siebatcheu all options in defence, on the flank and in attack.
1×2 Betting Odds
This match is sure to be fiercely competitive because both teams are in excellent form right now.
In Amsterdam, a share of the spoils is not out of the question because there will be a desire to stay in the match before the second leg in Germany!
But a look at the betting market tells us that the odds of a party happening in Amsterdam, stands @ 2.05.
The odds that the 2nd placed team in Germany has the advantage after part 1, stands @ 4.02.
The possibility of a stalemate, which is also our prediction stands @ 3.74.
Total goals over/under
The odds that the total number of goals scored will be over 2.5, stands @ 2.00.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 1.95.
The market views this as a tight game, where only 1 or two goals deciding the end result.
Plus, when two team from two very different leagues, with not much previous record to go by play each other… it is difficult to determine how the match will play out!
So with caution, the over/under market stays on the edge!
