Slavia Prague vs Ajax prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-02 16:45.
[p]After nine rounds of Czech First League action, it’s Slavia Prague leading the way at the summit thanks to an unbeaten start (W8, D1). They were able to transfer that domestic form into Europe in their UEFA Europa League (UEL) opener when they dispatched Ludogorets 2-0 – part of their ongoing six-match winning run, although they have had one of those already this season and the seventh game ended in defeat![/p]
[p]They host Ajax hoping that lightning doesn’t strike twice, and with an unbeaten H2H record against the Dutch giants (W2, D1), they’ll hope to stretch their winning run. Ajax are the only Dutch side Slavia have ever beaten in European competition (W2, D3, L2), and with 11 wins from their last 14 European home games, they should be confident of tipping the balance in their favour against Dutch sides. [/p]
[p]While Ajax are some way behind table-topping Eredivisie trailblazers PSV, five wins from their last six games in all competitions (D1) under new boss Francesco Farioli suggests they’re warming to the task. A 4-0 win over Beşiktaş in their UEL opener lies within that run, and a clean sheet probably holds the key to another victory as Ajax’s last four wins were all accompanied by a shutout. [/p]
[p]Claiming one here may be easier said than done as Ajax have incredibly failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 14 European away games, last doing so in March 2021. Adding to their travelling woes, they’ve never won away to Czech opposition (D3, L3), although they should be buoyed by the fact they’ve won their last three UEL away games. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Slavia’s Tomáš Chorý has scored the second goal of the game on his last six scoring appearances while Ajax’s Mika Godts has done the same thing on his last two scoring appearances, with five of his last six club goals arriving after half-time. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: The designated away side has scored at least twice in four of Slavia’s last five UEL games. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Chris Wilson[/i][/p]