Ajax vs Benfica: Ajax look to secure qualification into the Q/F of the Champions League when they face Benfica in their 2nd leg match on Tuesday.
Match Details:
Teams: Ajax vs Benfica
Venue: Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Date: Wednesday 16th March, 2022
Time: 01:30 AM IST
Live Link: http://www.sonyliv.com/
Preview
Ajax come into this after a 2-3 away win over Cambuur in their previous Eredivisie match on Friday.
Tadic, Haller scored for the visitors before Kallon and Joosten pulled goals back to make it 2-2, but Gravenberch popped up at the death to score the 5th goal of the clash, as his strike ensured an Ajax win.
This win took Ajax 2-points clear at the top of the table with 63 points and helped them head into this mid-week clash with confidence.
On the other hand, Benfica dropped 2 crucial points as they played out a 1-1 draw against Vizela in their previous Liga Portugal clash.
Cassiano and Araujo scored for either side to ensure a share of the spoils in this one, leaving Benfica in 3rd place on the table with 58 points.
Also read: UCL news: Lewandowski breaks UCL record of fastest Hat-trick; check out the other players in list
Benfica has drawn 3 of their last 5 matches across competitions and need to sustain more wins if they are to challenge.
With no away goals henceforth, only a straight win can help either side seal their place in the Quarter-finals.
In the first leg of this clash, Ajax drew 2-2 away from home with Tadic and Haller scoring for the Eredivisie side.
An own goal from Haller and Yaremchuk’s effort 18 minutes from time helped Benfica draw the clash.
Form Guide
Ajax: WWWLD
Benfica: DWWDD
Last Matches of both teams:
Cambuur 2-3 Ajax
Benfica 1-1 Vizela
Where to watch the live streaming and broadcast of Benfica vs Ajax in India?
The match can be live streamed on the Sony LIV App and Jio TV; while the broadcast is on Sony TEN 1.
Team News
Gorter, Stekelenburg and Pasveer are out for the hosts due to injuries while Klaiber is a doubt after he sustained a knee injury.
Seferovic, Verissimo and Pinho are absentees for the visitors due to muscle injuries respectively.
Ajax’s Haller is 1 goal away from overtaking Drogba (Marseille in 2003-04, 5 in Champions League & 6 in UEFA Cup) for the most goals scored by an African player in a single UEFA Euro competition in history.
He already has 11 in his maiden #UCL campaign.#AJABEN pic.twitter.com/nU91juQA9z
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) March 15, 2022
Ajax possible 11:
Onana, Rensch, Schuurs, Martinez, Blind, Alvarez, Gravenberch, Antony, Berghuis, Tadic and Haller
Benfica possible 11:
Vlachodimos, Grimaldo, Vertonghen, Otamendi, Junior, Everton, Taarabt, Weigl, Silva, Nunez and Ramos
📸 Training session at #BenficaCampus before heading to Amsterdam! 🔴⚪#WeAreBenfica #AJASLB #UCL pic.twitter.com/rtW3gwhhJY
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) March 14, 2022
Prediction: Ajax 2-1 Benfica
Ajax is a side to beat at home as they have been all season with phenomenal and crunch performances.
Benfica should be able to find the net in Amsterdam but we see the hosts pipping this one due to their better form and familiar surroundings.
Players to watch out for: Berghuis, Haller, Silva and Nunez.
