Ajax Amsterdam has a few absences or at least players like van de Beek or Dolberg are reported to be uncertain and this could easily affect the compartments they are part of. The important part was achieved, the Dutch vice-champion managed to qualify in the Champions League playoff after being able to stand unbeaten until this point of the competition, ranking second in Group E with 11 points, so they will focus on the Dutch league
C'est la première place du groupe E qui se jouera ce mercredi soir à Amsterdam. Le Bayern traverse la frontière allemande pour aller y défier l'Ajax, actuel second de l'Eredivisie. Si le club bavarois n'est pas aussi impérial que lors des saisons précédentes, il devrait néanmoins assurer l'essentiel et contenir les offensives néerlendaises qui se feront pressantes. La récente embellie du club entraîné par Niko Kovac pourrait bien prendre une tournure intéressante !
The top two sides in Group E go head to head on Wednesday night, as they fight over first place. Hosts Ajax need to finish up with a win to move into first, having made an impressive run through this competition so far. However, they come up against a Bayern Munich side who look to be getting back to their best. While these two played out a draw in Bavaria earlier in the group stage, it seems like the meeting in Amsterdam may be the tougher clash for the Dutch side. Can the hosts pull off a surprise and top the group?
Ajax are in fine form ahead of this clash, coming here with a five-game winning run behind them. The Dutch side have now moved within two points of top spot, and they look set to make a real push for the domestic title this season. However, their fight for silverware is on hold in midweek, as they look to land an impressive European achievement. They started this group as a side who had the potential of fighting for a top-two finish, but Ajax cruised into second with time to spare.
Bayern had a tough start in Europe, and they’ve been in mixed form throughout their season. This hasn’t been the perfect arrival in Munich for boss Niko Kovac, but of late they have looked like things are improving. They’ve won three straight games, scoring 10 goals in that run. The club are soaring in Europe after a 5-1 thrashing of Benfica, and they will want to wrap things up with a win over Ajax this week. Moving into top spot will give them an easier task in the last 16, and it will signal a turning point in their season.
Ajax will be hopeful of continuing their unbeaten record at home, but they’re set for their toughest clash of the group in this one. Bayern come here in fine form in their away trips, claiming 10 wins in 12 this season. While the visitors remain third in the table, they’re finally playing like champions. While Ajax are up and running in the league, there’s still an obvious gulf in quality between them and Bayern.
The Germans have won their last three Champions League games, and they come here in great form on their travels. They’ve won five of their last six trips, with their only setback a 2-2 draw at European champions Real Madrid. I expect that streak to continue for the Bundesliga giants, so I think the visitors are well priced to get a win in this one with over 2.5 goals.
Final group games are a nightmare as it is difficult to eke out who is trying and who is going through the motions having already qualified for the knockout stages. This is one where both sides will be trying to win. A draw suits Bayern but, they are a club who always play to win.
And I hope tomorrow they will see why they are the first in the group.
Please, try again later
Save for who tops the pile, this group has already been settled, with Ajax and Bayern set to advance to the second round. Two points separate them, with Bayern at the top on 13 points and only need a draw, to get the psychological edge of meeting a ‘weaker’ team in the second round.
Bayern have scored two or more goals in each of their last six matches and in 10 of their last 11. Ajax on the other hand, have been in great form both domestically and in Europe. They head to this game on five straight wins and unbeaten in 15 matches, where they have won 13 games.
At home, in the Champions League, Ajax are unbeaten in eight and have won each of the last five. Ajax have scored two or more goals in four of their last five Champions League home matches and they have clean sheets in four of the last five at home. They have scored 12 and conceded once in the last five Champions League home matches.
Total over 3