Brighton vs Ajax prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-10-25 19:00.
The harsh reality of a more intense fixture schedule has started to bite for Brighton, who find themselves in the midst of a five-match winless run in all competitions (D2, L3). Manager Roberto De Zerbi was “frustrated” as he saw Solly March and Danny Welbeck forced off through injury in their 2-1 defeat against Manchester City on Saturday – hardly the ideal preparation for a swift return to the UEFA Europa League (UEL).
It’s not all doom and gloom by any means however, as an indication of the enormous strides the club have taken in recent years is perfectly portrayed by the calibre of their next opponents, as four-time European champions Ajax visit the AMEX Stadium. While the Seagulls sit bottom of Group B, victory here could propel them into the top-two given that all four sides have already dropped points. A capacity crowd looks set to be greeted by unbridled entertainment no matter the result, as Brighton’s 12 matches this term have yielded an incredible 50 goals.
There is perhaps no more peculiar story across European football this season than Ajax, who sit inside the Eredivisie automatic relegation places after a disastrous start to the season. An eight-match winless run (D3, L5) rather unsurprisingly brought about the dismissal of manager Maurice Steijn, with Hedwiges Maduro in caretaker charge as the Dutch giants look to revive their campaign.
Improving away form will be high on his agenda given that Ajax are winless in four on the road (D2, L2) – their longest such streak since a seven-match run in 2013! Squandering leads is proving a huge problem, as their 4-3 defeat to Utrecht on Sunday saw them fight back from two goals down to lead 3-2 but still go on to lose, while they’ve surrendered the lead a combined three times across their opening two UEL fixtures.
Players to watch: Brazilian João Pedro has scored three of Brighton’s four UEL goals, all from the penalty spot. Ajax could look to Croatian wing-back Borna Sosa for creative inspiration, as he assisted twice in defeat in his last club outing.
Hot stat: Ajax have conceded nine first-half goals in their last six competitive matches.