APOEL and Ajax measure strength in Neo GSP, in a match for this phase of the UEFA Champions League (Play-offs). There is no record of direct confrontations between these two teams in the last 3 years. The last match was played on 10-12-2014 and ended with the score: Ajax (4‑0) APOEL. In this match the home factor may be decisive, since both teams have considerable differences in the results won at home and as a visitor.
APOEL:
Until reaching this stage of the UEFA Champions League (Play-offs), the home team eliminated: Qarabağ and Sutjeska. This is a team that curiously has been stronger as a visitor than in their home games, since in the last 30 matches they have recorded 9 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses as a visitor; against 6 wins, 5 draws and 4 losses in his stadium. In the last 10 games played at home for all competitions, APOEL won 6, drew 1 and lost 3. The defense has been strong and only suffered goals in 1 of the last 4 matches, and its attack has scored regularly, since which always scored at least one goal in the last 4 games for this competition.
Being in the playoffs before the group stage is a good thing for APOEL, but does not think about staying on the road. There is very little left to reach the main stage of the competition and that is why he does not want to give margins for mistakes. Of course, the difficulty will be great and everything will get worse when deciding the qualification in the return duel. In this way, the team knows the great need to win, because it will have some advantage. To be able to leave the field with a positive result, an extremely qualified performance will be required. In this match, the best players available will be on the field.
Ajax :
The visiting team reaches this stage of the UEFA Champions League (Play-offs) after a home victory by (3-2) and a draw away by (2-2) with PAOK. This is a team that curiously has been stronger outside than at home, since in the last 30 games it records 12 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss as a visitor; against 10 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses in his stadium. The team arrives at this match after a win out with VVV Venlo (1-4). In the last 10 games played as a visitor for all competitions, Ajax won 8 and drew 2. The team allowed goals to the opponent in 8 of the last 10 games, so his defense needs to improve, but his attack has marked regularly , since he always scored at least one goal in the last 10 games. In their home matches there is a tendency for goals, since 21 of the last 31 matches have ended with Over 2.5 goals. In 15 games, he suffered the first goal 7 times, but got the comeback in 3. In the last 20 home games for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: he suffered 9 of his 25 goals between minutes (31′ ‑ 45 ‘ ).
After having had a good campaign last season, Ajax returns to approach the group stage of the Champions League. He will have two games ahead and in the end he wants to ensure his qualification, that is, he does not think about being eliminated. In terms of technical quality you can not complain, because it has a quality template and can win, even playing away from home. The certainty we have is that he will fight hard throughout the duel, since he wants to gain an advantage in the tie. In this match, the best players available will be on the field.
