Valencia vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam
Valencia is determined to maintain momentum at UCL when challenged by Ajax this week. They met in the second leg of UCL Group H which was planned to be aired live from Estadio Mestalla.
Los Che managed to make a surprise by earning full points at home to Chelsea. Rodrigo (74 ‘) scored the only goal of the match, although the hosts controlled the game with 60% possession and 6 shots on target, while Valencia only replied 2 times.
On the one hand, Ajax encountered no significant obstacles when entertaining Lille in Amsterdam; they won 3-0 through Quincy Anton Promes (18 ‘), Edson Alvarez (50’), and Nicolas Tagliafico (62 ‘). With this result, they also topped Group H because it was more productive than Valencia.
This will be Ajax’s second visit to Mestalla; they have been there at the same event in the 2002/03 season with a score of 1-1. Regarding that matter, Ajax would like to receive a better report card because this time it can come with a complete squad. In fact, they also have never lost at the Eredivisie with 6 wins and 2 draws.
From the host side, Valencia are no less confident; they managed to convert 3 games in a row after facing Chelsea into 1 win and 2 draws. It’s just that their squad won’t be as complete as Ajax because there are at least 4 players who are still injured.
The surprise at Chelsea made Valencia the spotlight in this group. They certainly want to maintain that momentum, especially when facing Ajax who is currently at the top. However, the absence of a number of players is predicted to be difficult for the host, especially if they have to play again the next two days against Deportivo Alaves.
Our Prediction: Under 2.5
Odds: 2.20