Ajax vs Benfica Preview Prediction Team News and Lineups
Two struggling teams in the Champions League, Ajax and Benfica, will face off at Johan Cruyff Arena on Tuesday. Both teams have yet to earn a point in this season’s competition and are looking to turn their fortunes around in matchday five.
Match Overview
Ajax, currently managed by interim coach Fred Grim, suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat against Galatasaray on matchday three. In contrast, Benfica fell 1-0 to Bayer Leverkusen, compounding their difficulties in the group stage.
Ajax’s Struggles
Ajax has had a nightmarish start to their campaign, conceding a staggering 14 goals while scoring only once. This alarming statistic places them at the bottom of the standings, reflecting their leakiest defense among all 36 teams in the tournament.
- 7 consecutive defeats in continental competitions, the longest in club history.
- 8 losses in their last 9 Champions League group stage matches.
Ajax’s domestic performance has not fared much better, as they currently sit outside the top four in the Eredivisie, having lost three of their last four home games across all competitions.
Benfica’s Position
Benfica’s fortunes have improved slightly, emerging from a two-game winless streak with a 2-0 victory against Atletico Clube de Portugal in the Taca de Portugal. However, they remain second from bottom in the Champions League standings, a concerning statistic for the two-time winners.
- Recent form includes six defeats in their last eight European matches.
- Only two wins in their last nine matches against Ajax (D3, L4).
Team News and Lineups
Ajax faces several injury concerns ahead of the match. Left-back Owen Wijndal and right-back Anton Gaaei are both unlikely to play. Major changes may occur in the forward lineup, particularly with Kasper Dolberg expected to fill in for Wout Weghorst, who has been out of form.
Benfica, on the other hand, could see major tactical changes. Coach José Mourinho might revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Key players like Anatoliy Trubin may return to bolster their lineup as they aim to capitalize on Ajax’s vulnerabilities.
Predictions
Given their ongoing struggles, Ajax appears to be the underdog in this match. Benfica, benefiting from a slight upturn in form, might seize this opportunity to secure their first points in the Champions League.
The match prediction is a close contest, with Benfica possibly edging Ajax with a scoreline of 2-1.
