Ajax host Spurs in the 2nd leg of the Champions League Semi Final in hopes of reaching their first final in over 20 years!
Ajax’s treble hopes are well and alive after they secured the first of the three cups as they won the KNVB Beker Final during the weekend. Whereas Spurs despite losing at the weekend have secured Top 4 in their league, but it looks like they will be trophyless for 11th straight years if they don’t pull of a turnaround here.
Ajax held off Spurs to grab a 0-1 win in London in the 1st Leg in what was a tightly contested match up but by grabbing that win the Dutch side can make the Final if they avoid defeat.
Coming into this game there is a huge contrast in form between the sides as Ajax have been firing goals in left, right and centre winning 9 of their last 10 (1D) and scoring 31 goals. Whereas Spurs have lost 4 of their last 5 games and only scored 1 goal in the stretch. This lack of goal scoring form is a big concern given that then may need to score multiple times if they want to go through.
Ajax have been exceptional at home this season especially as of late as ever since their 1-2 loss to Real Madrid they have gone 7 unbeaten winning 6 in front of their fans scoring 25 goals. Though most of their home success has come domestically as in the Champions League they’ve actually struggled at home unlike on their travels having not won any of their last 3 here including losing 1-2 to Real Madrid and drawing 1-1 with Juventus in the knockouts.
As for Spurs they are horrendous away from home having lost 9 of their last 10 on their travels across all competitions failing to avoid defeat in 2 months since they last won an away game at Dortmund. Spurs have only won 1 away Champions League game this season which as mentioned came at Dortmund, otherwise they lost to Inter, Man City while picking up draws with Barcelona and another Dutch side in PSV.
Dusan Tadic is the man to watch for Ajax. 34 goals 20 assists across all competitons, excluding UCL qualifiers he’s the 2nd best goal contributor with 10 (6G 4A) and including the qualifiers of CL he has 9G 7A in the competition. He’s having a season of his life and with this being the biggest game of the season for Ajax so far, you have to expect their main man to deliver.
Son Heung Min is the man to watch for Spurs without a doubt. After being suspended for the 1st leg he’s back and despite having a disasterclass at the weekend at Bournemouth being sent off, Son has been in solid form scoring 3 goals in the previous Champions League round to lead Spurs past Manchester City. With Spurs lacking goals in recent games, Son is one man that can deliver those on regular basis and with Kane out he’s the man for them again.
Historically looking, Ajax and Spurs haven’t faced in Netherlands since 1981-82 and that time Spurs defeated Ajax 1-3 which is actually joint biggest win by an English side away at Ajax in history, something Spurs will hope to repeat here in hopes of reaching the Final.
Spurs have drawn each of their last 2 games against Dutch sides away from home in the Champions League in what were two very high scoring fixtures drawing 3-3 with Twente in 2010 and 2-2 with PSV earlier this season.
Ajax have lost just once in 3 games at home against Premier League sides in the Champions League. They lost to Arsenal, also drew with Arsenal and beat Manchester City 3-1 in their most recent home game in this competition against an English side a few years ago.
Ajax are tipped as bookies favourites to win this game but not by that much at 2.37 with Tottenham to win priced at 3.05 and Draw offered at 3.65. Ajax to advance is 1.40 while Tottenham to advance is 3.00. Given that it’s only 1-0 this tie by no means is done but considering that Ajax have lost just ONE game in total at home this season, it will be a daunting task for Spurs who themselves have been horrendous away from home. It’s not over, but Ajax are expected to make the Final from this position. Odds are based on Unibet.
Team News
Ajax: Hassane Bande and Carel Elting are both out for the hosts, but they’ve been out for some time now so it’s not a big deal. Otherwise everyone are available.
Tottenham Hotspur: Davinson Sanchez, Harry Kane and Harry Winks are all out for Spurs while Lamela, Aurier and Vertonghen are all expected to be back in the squad and Son Heung Min is back from suspension which is a massive boost for Spurs.
Betting Stats
*Ajax’s stats will also include Qualifying stage given they entered the competition from there.
Ajax have covered 37.5% of their total goal overs at home in UCL this season (3-2-3).
Ajax have covered 25% of their total 1st half goal overs at home in UCL this season (2-1-5).
Ajax average 2.25 bookings per game at home in UCL this season (18 bookings in 8 games).
Tadic, Tagliafico and Ziyech are all Ajax’s top scorers at home with 3 home European goals each this season.
Ajax have covered 87.5% of their Handicaps at home in UCL this season (7-1).
Ajax have covered 50% of their 1st half Handicaps at home in UCL this season (4-4).
Tottenham have covered 60% of their total goal overs away from home in UCL this season (3-2).
Tottenham have covered 40% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home in UCL this season (2-3).
Tottenham average 2.2 bookings per game away from home in UCL this season (11 bookings in 5 games).
Lucas, Kane and Son are Spurs tied top scorers with 2 away goals in UCL each this season. Eriksen and Llorente have the other 2.
Tottenham have covered 60% of their Handicaps away from home in UCL this season (3-2).
Tottenham have covered 20% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in UCL this season (1-1-3).
KICK OFF – 8th May 2019 – 8pm UK Time
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