BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION will be bidding to record back-to-back wins over Ajax when the pair reunite in the Europa League at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday evening.
The Seagulls secured their first-ever European success against the Dutch giants with a comfortable 2-0 win at the Amex a fortnight ago.
That much-needed victory has put Roberto De Zerbi’s side back in contention in a congested Group B, with just three points separating all four sides
Albion will make the trip to Amsterdam off the back of a 1-1 draw with Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.
As for Ajax, they have made their worst-ever start to a domestic campaign, though they have at least arrested the slide with back-to-back home wins in the Eredivisie.
Interim head coach John van't Schip will be hoping that pair of successes could be the catalyst for claiming a maiden win this season’s Europa League for the side currently propping up the section.
Outright Betting
Ajax are 3/1 (BetVictor) outsiders as they aim to make it three home wins in the space of a week while a point apiece in the Dutch capital pays 16/5 (Bet 365).
Brighton & Hove Albion are short priced 7/10 (Bet 365) favourites to claim another three points at Ajax’s expense.
Betting Angles
Goals have dried up in Brighton games in recent weeks but I think there is plenty of scope for that to change on Thursday evening.
With both BTTS and Overs unbackable, I’ll get creative and combine Both Teams to Score, Over 2.5 Goals and a goal in each half at 19/20 with William Hill.
While the Seagulls continue to earn plenty of plaudits for their pro-active style of play under Roberto De Zerbi's tutorship, they are certainly susceptible to conceding goals at the other end of the park.
In fact, Albion's solitary clean sheet in 15 outings this season came against Ajax in the reverse fixtures at the Amex, however they could struggle to shutout the Sons of the Gods in their own backyard.
Granted, the hosts are enduring an unprecedented period of turmoil at the moment, but they have scored six goals in front of their own supporters across the last week, not to mention they will have to go for the win here given the state of play in the section.
However, the 36-time Dutch champions have only managed to silence their opponents once in their last 10 matches, which doesn’t bode well ahead of a visit from the free-scoring Seagulls.
Brighton’s high-octane, attacking brand of football under Roberto De Zerbi has seen the score in all but one of their 15 outings in all competitions this season and they should land at least one blow against their leaky hosts.
This bet would have banked in three of the duo’s five Group B bouts combined and there is plenty of scope to support the same selection at a shade under evens on Thursday evening.
Team news permitting, I'll also back James Milner to pick up a booking at 15/4 with Bet 365.
The Brighton utility man has been prone to attracting the unwanted attention of the referees throughout his career and he looks worthy of interest to collect a card in the Dutch capital.
This UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Brighton & Hove Albion will be played on Nov 9, 2023 and kick off at 17:45. Check below for our tipsters best Ajax vs Brighton & Hove Albion prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
