Ajax vs Tottenham Hotspur - Champions League Semi-final Preview and Odds

Published on: 08/05/2019

Ajax vs Tottenham Hotspur - Champions League Semi-final Preview and Odds

May 08, 2019 20:00pm - Johan Cruijff Arena (Amsterdam)

Champions League: Semi-final - Second Leg

Ajax kick off the second leg on this Champions League semi-final tie with a one-goal advantage over Tottenham Hotspur. Having done much of the hard work in the away leg, the Dutch side will want to maintain their composure and get the job finished in front of their own fans.

Erik Ten Hag`s men have already claimed the scalps of reigning champions Real Madrid and Italian giants Juventus and will hold no fear as they welcome the Premier League`s fourth-ranked team to the Johan Cruijff Arena.

They come into this match in good form having won their last six matches in a row, and with just one defeat in their last 17 in all competitions. De Godenzonen are currently sat atop their domestic league, leading PSV by goal difference and are looking to reach the Champions League final for the first time since 1996.

Meanwhile, Spurs will hope to set up and all-English final by overturning the home sides slim advantage on Wednesday night. They might even draw inspiration from Liverpool who battled back from 3-0 down to defeat Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate in the other semi-final.

Maurizio Pochettino`s men have not been in great form lately having lost five of their last six matches in all competitions. In the Premier League, a run of seven defeats from 11 matches has seen them drop to fourth place in the table although they are still on course to qualify for next year`s Champions League.

Recent form (all competitions)

Ajax: WWWWW

Tottenham Hotspur: LLLWL

Betting odds and tips

Ajax are a team with great European pedigree although they have rarely made it to the knockout stages of this competition since they were eliminated at the semi-final stage in 1997. However, they did reach the final of the Europa League in 2017 and have been slowing building a team of exceptional young talent.

Spurs` last European glory came back in the 1984 UEFA Cup but they have only ever featured in five Champions League/European Cup campaigns. They impressed in the quarter-final against Manchester City but were stunned by Ajax in the first leg. Overturning that result in front in the intimidating atmosphere of the Johan Cruijff Arena could be too much to ask of the North London side.

Five of Ajax`s last six Champions League matches have paid out in the Both Teams to Score market and with Spurs having to force things on the night, we should see an open game with at least one goal at each end.

You can back Both Teams to Score at 4/7.

By Neil Morris