Juventus host Ajax in the 2nd leg of the Champions League Quarter Final with hopes of getting into the Semis!
The 1st leg ended up being a 1-1 draw in Netherlands. Despite Ajax continuously being on the front foot and thoroughly dominating the game, Juventus did manage to snatch an away goal and a draw which gives them a slight advantage over Ajax entering the 2nd leg.
Juventus have been in decent form. Although winless in last 2 and are coming off a 2-1 loss to Spal, you’d have to say that loss to Spal had no meaning considering Juve didn’t play the first team and they pretty much have won the league regardless. Further looking at their form, Juve have consistently been good this season without many slip ups and when at full health they have very rarely failed to win games.
Ajax have been in ridiculously hot form right now. They are the most entertaining young team in the world and they’ve been showing that this whole season. Ajax have won 10 of last 12 games in all competitions (1D 1L) and have scored 42 goals in this run. Ajax are coming off a 6-2 win against Excelsior in the league this weekend and although Excelsior are nowhere near Juventus level, scoring 6 goals isn’t something that you see often so Ajax for sure are rolling right now especially going forward which is important considering they’ll HAVE to score here.
Juventus have been in tremendous form at home right now. Overall just one defeat this season in front of their fans, but most recently they have been pretty much invincible going unbeaten in 13 winning 12 of those games conceding just FIVE goals (3 came against Parma alone) so take that game out and in the 12 wins they conceded just TWO goals. Juve have been absolutely exceptional defensively here and with that recent home record it’s hard not to see them go through.
Juventus have been solid at home in the Champions League winning 3 of their 4 home games in the competition with the only loss coming to Man Utd where they conceded 2 late goals. Juve most recently turned a 0-2 deficit around with a 3-0 2nd leg win against Atletico so coming back home is for sure a huge advantage for Juve.
Ajax have been decent away themselves having won 5 of their last 6 away games in all competitions which of course includes a 1-4 win at the Bernabeu. Ajax have scored 21 goals in these past 6 travels so their explosive attack definitely have not deteriorated when they play away
Ajax have been great away from home in the Champions League. Not only have they not lost an away European game but they already picked up great results against Bayern (1-1) and Real Madrid where they won 1-4 to reach the Quarters so for Ajax coming into big grounds and getting results hasn’t been a problem and that should give them a ton of confidence coming into this game.
The player to watch for Juventus is of course Cristiano Ronaldo. 125 career UCL goals, 23 goals in last 21 2 leg tie matches (R16 QF SF) and he returned with a bang as he scored against Ajax away from home. Ronaldo also has a great record against Ajax with 8 goals in 5 apps against them, we can add and add numbers when it comes to Ronaldo. He loves these games, expect him to be the difference if Juve win.
Dusan Tadic is the man to watch for Ajax. 50 goal contributions across all competitions with 32G 18A this season, he’s having a season of his life, has already dropped multiple top notch performances against Europe’s elite in Real Madrid and Bayern so expect him to be the biggest threat from Ajax although they have certain others than can also cause threat like David Neres who has been in ridiculous form with 7 goals in last 9 apps including scoring against Juventus last week.
Looking at the past few European knockout ties, Juventus have had the edge over Ajax winning each of last 3 two legged European competition ties most recently beating them in 2010 Europa League knockouts. Juve have a long unbeaten run against Ajax entering this game which stands at 10 consecutive games therefore H2H definitely favours Juventus here.
Juventus are the favourites to win this game and to advance. Juventus to win in 90 mins is offered at 1.74 whereas Ajax to win is 5.25 with Draw offered at 3.85. Juventus are of course the favourites to advance at 1.35 while Ajax to advance is 3.25. The away goal could prove to be a huge difference for Juventus as a clean sheet alone would get them through although Ajax could possess a lot of threat going forward, you’d have to say led by Ronaldo and how effective Juve are defensively at home, it is going to be a DAUNTING task for the Dutch side to advance. Odds are based on Unibet.
Team News
Juventus: Mario Mandzukic and Giorgio Chiellini are both out meanwhile Emre Can and Douglas Costa could return. Chiellini being out could prove to be a big blow considering he’s their rock at the back.
Ajax: Ajax have been dealt a blow as de Jong is very doubtful to play. Furthermore, Hassane Bande and Carel Eiting are also out but they’re not huge blows for Ajax. Other than de Jong, expect every key player to be available.
Betting Stats (UCL Based)
*Ajax’s stats will also include their Qualifying stage games as they took part in the Qualifiers before the Group Stages.
Juventus have covered 50% of their total goal overs at home in the UCL this season (2-1-1)
Juventus have only covered 25% of their total 1st half goal overs at home in the UCL this season (1-1-2).
Juventus average 1.5 bookings per game at home in the UCL this season (6 bookings in 4 games).
Cristiano Ronaldo is Juventus top scorer at home in the UCL this season with 4 home European goals. Dybala has 3. Ronaldo and Dybala have scored 7 of Juve’s combined 8 home goals in the Champions League this season (Mandzukic scored 1).
Juventus have covered 50% of their Handicaps at home in the UCL this season (2-2).
Juventus have covered 50% of their 1st half Handicaps at home in the UCL this season (2-2).
Ajax have covered 42.9% of their total goal overs away from home in the UCL this season (3-4).
Ajax have covered 42.9% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home in the UCL this season (3-2-2).
Ajax average 2 bookings per game away from home in the UCL this season (14 bookings in 7 games).
Dusan Tadic is Ajax’s top scorer away from home with 6 away UCL goals this season.
Ajax have covered 85.7% of their Handicaps away from home in the UCL this season (6-1).
Ajax have covered 57.1% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in the UCL this season (4-1-2).
KICK OFF – 16th April 2019 – 8pm UK Time
