BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION will be hoping to earn their first-ever victory in the Europa League when they welcome Ajax to the Amex on Thursday night.
The Seagull's maiden foray into Europe started with a deflating 3-2 defeat at home to AEK Athens on Matchday One.
Roberto De Zerbi's team then looked set to suffer another loss at Marseille before roaring back to strike twice in a thrilling 2-2 draw, bringing up both of my recommended bets in the process.
After losing 2-1 at Man City in the Premier League on Saturday, Albion now switch their attention back to continental matters with a glamour game against Ajax.
The Amsterdam giants kicked off their Europa League campaign with an action-packed 3-3 draw with Marseille before playing out a 1-1 draw with AEK Athens.
However, closer to home Ajax are in crisis mode after Sunday's 4-3 defeat at Utrecht left them in the Eredivisie relegation zone with a mere five points from their opening seven matches of the season, a setback that finally saw the axe fall on head coach Maurice Steijn.
Outright Betting
Brighton & Hove Albion are 1/3 favourites with Bet 365 to claim what would be their first-ever competitive victory in European competition.
Despite having significantly more European pedigree than that of their opponents, Ajax arrive at the Amex as 15/2 (William Hill) outsiders while a share of the south coast spoils pays 5/1 (Bet 365).
Betting Angles
I successfully backed Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals in Brighton's aforementioned 2-2 with Marseille and I no make no apology for siding with the same selection here at 20/23 with Boylesports.
Brighton's games have been awash with goals this season, BTTS and Over backs pocketing profit from a lofty 11 of the hosts' 12 games in all competitions this term to date.
That trend for goal-heavy games involving the Seagulls can be attributed to a combination of them carrying an attacking threat and struggling to keep them out at the other end of the park.
While Roberto De Zerbi's swashbucklers have struck in all but one their 12 outings this season, they have yet to file a clean sheet, and that trend could continue against Ajax.
Although the Dutch powerhouse are in a state of total disarray just now, they still pack a punch going forward and they are capable landing a blow against Brighton's leaky backline.
Therefore, with all things considered, backing Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals to land in another game involving attack-minded Albion simply looks too big ignore at 20/23 (Boylesports)
On a similar line of reasoning to the above, I'm also going to have a small play in the Correct Score market with the 2-2 looking like a nice scoreline to cheer on at a bold price of 18/1 (Bet 365).
This bet would have paid out in two of Brighton's last three matches in all competitions and siding with another high-scoring stalemate could be worth some loose change under the East Sussex lights.
This UEFA Europa League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Ajax will be played on Oct 26, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Brighton & Hove Albion vs Ajax prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
