Benfica – Ajax SOCCER PICKS
Benfica and Ajax meet at Estádio do Sport Lisboa and Benfica (da Luz), in a match for this phase of the UEFA Champions League (Group Stage). Attention to the home factor, since Benfica usually conquer different results at home and abroad.
Benfica:
After 1 win and 2 losses, the home team is currently in the 3rd position, with 3 points won. In the last match, they lost by (1-0) away against Ajax, after in the previous match, they won by (2-3) away with AEK Athens. This is a team that usually gets better results in away matches than at home, since in the last 30 matches they register 8 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses in away matches, with 27 goals scored and 14 conceded; against 7 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses at their stadium, with 21 goals scored and 18 conceded. The team comes to this match after a home defeat with Moreirense by (1-3). In the last 10 home matches Benfica has won 5, tied 2 and lost 3. Defensive consistency has not been their best feature, as they have conceded goals in 6 of the last 7 matches, but their offense has scored with regularity, as they have scored goals in 5 of the last 7 matches for this competition. There is a tendency for goals in their home matches, since 23 of the last 27 matches they have played have ended with Over 1,5 goals. In the last 12 home matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have conceded 5 of their 14 goals between minutes (76′-90 ‘).
Benfica comes to this game with a snub, by 1-3, at the reception at Moreirense. In the last game for the Champions League, the home side lost to Ajax, 1-0. On this day, once again playing against the Dutch, coach Rui Vitória will have to line up in 4-3-3, benefiting the tactical organization and rapid transitions, especially through the flanks. Midfielder Pizzi is the highlight of Benfica, with 6 goals scored. For this game the coach can not count on Lema and Krovinovic, both injured.
Ajax:
The away team is currently in the 1 st position, with 7 points won, after 2 wins and 1 draw. In the penultimate match, they tied in an away match against Bayern München, by (1-1). In the last match, they won in a home match against Benfica, by (1-0). This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 8 wins, 4 draws and 3 losses in away matches, with 34 goals scored and 12 conceded; against 11 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses at their stadium, with 35 goals scored and 9 conceded. The team comes to this match after a home win against Willem II by (2-0). In the last 4 away matches for the UEFA Champions League, Ajax won 1 and drew 3.
For this competition, they have not lost any of the last 4 away matches. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 8 of the last 9 matches for this competition. This is a team that usually does not feel difficult to open the scoring: it marked the first goal in 7 of the last 9 matches for the UEFA Champions League, of these 7 reached the break in advantage in 5 and managed to maintain the advantage until the end of the 90 ‘in 6.
The Ajax comes to this game with a win at home by 2-0 at the reception to Willem II, adding the sixth successive win in several competitions. Of note that visitors occupy the 1st position of Group E of the Champions League, with 7 points added. In this game away from home, coach Erik ten Hag must play in the usual 4-3-3, benefiting possession of the ball and organized attacks, however, in some moments of the game should act only in the counterattack. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is the great highlight of Ajax, with 11 goals scored in several competitions. For this game the coach can not count on Bandé, Matusiwa and Veltman, all with physical problems.
