RFS vs Ajax prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-01-22 20:00.
[p]Life has been cruel to Latvian outfit RFS so far during just their second-ever European group stage equivalent appearance, as after six matches in this season’s UEFA Europa League (UEL), they remain winless (D2, L4). The hosts would need to win both of their two remaining matches – and hope for a miracle along the way – if they’re to reach the knockout stages, and that unlikely quest starts with a visit from Dutch giants Ajax.[/p]
[p]If RFS can take any confidence into this meeting, it’ll stem from the fact that each of the two points that they’ve won this UEL campaign have come on home soil, during battling draws with Galatasaray and Anderlecht which both witnessed them come from behind. That fighting spirit will be needed once again here if the reigning Latvian champions are to claim their first major European group stage victory at the 13th attempt (D4, L8).[/p]
[p]Unlike their hosts, it looks extremely likely that visiting Ajax will progress from this season’s UEL league phase, though their form in the competition has hit a snag of late. After taking ten points from a possible 12 and scoring 13 goals in total across their opening four league phase outings, Francesco Farioli’s side have since suffered back-to-back losses to Real Sociedad and Lazio which has seen the visitors slip out of the top-eight ahead of the round.[/p]
[p]What will serve as an additional warning for the away side is their indifferent form on the road of late, winning just three of their last seven away matches across all competitions (D1, L3). That’s also been a hindrance for Ajax in this competition too in recent times, as they’ve now won just one of their last eight away outings in the UEL (D3, L4 – exc. qualifiers) whilst conceding 14 goals in total! [/p]
[p]Players to watch: RFS will be hoping that Roberts Savalnieks can get on the scoresheet again here, as nine of his last ten goal scoring appearances for the club saw them win. Davy Klaassen could be Ajax’s most likely candidate to break the deadlock here, as each of his six goals this season have served as his side’s opening strike of the match. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Only Midtjylland (five) have picked up fewer yellow cards in the UEL this season than RFS (eight).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Nathan Evans[/i][/p]