Rangers vs Ajax prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-31 20:00.
The excitement of participating in a UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage for the first time since 2010/11 didn’t last long for Rangers, as they’ve fallen to defeat in every game whilst conceding almost four goals on average per match (3.8). The only way that Rangers can secure springtime European football now is if they pip Ajax to third place by winning with a 5+ goal margin!
Pressure has slowly been mounting on Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst after a couple of unconvincing domestic showings, namely a 1-1 draw with Livingston that allowed Celtic to open up a gap at the top. Although it seems inevitable, Rangers’ elimination from Europe may be more bruising for the manager if they end up joining a list of only 22 sides to have lost every game in a UCL group stage.
Although Ajax aren’t quite performing to the levels of their fabled 2018/19 side after being raided for players every season since, they have essentially secured a Europa League knockout berth thanks to a 4-0 win over Rangers in the reverse. Sitting pretty at the top of the Eredivisie, Ajax would be forgiven for having their minds set on the all-important De Klassieker at the weekend with this essentially being a dead rubber.
Only once since 1964/65, and just five times in Ajax’s history, have they been defeated by a 5+ goal margin, highlighting just how much of a shock that would be. However, Ajax have conceded at least three goals in three straight European games for the first time in club history ahead of this, yet just three losses across their last 24 UCL away games suggests they could bounce back (W11, D10).
Players to watch: Rangers’ Antonio Colak has already scored twice against Ajax’s Dutch rivals PSV this season and four of his last five scoring appearances saw him net a brace. Although Ajax’s Mohamed Kudus rarely plays a full 90 minutes, he has an impressive scoring record of nine goals in 17 appearances this season.
Hot stat: Ajax are unbeaten in nine of their 13 historical encounters with Scottish clubs (W7, D2, L4).