EUROPA LEAGUE BETTING PICK - AJAX V MANCHESTER UNITED

Europa League

2012-02-16 - Ajax vs Manchester United

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Match Preview :

Both sides were surprisingly eliminated from the Champions League and the with seven European Cup successes between them go head-to-head in the Europa League, as Ajax is set to host Manchester United. Both clubs have stated they would go all the way after being knocked out of the much grander Champions League to play in Europe's second tier competition.

Ajax are one of only three sides to have tasted European Cup/Champions League, UEFA Cup/Europa League and Cup Winners' Cup success, while United are looking to taste that success as well this season. However it must be stated that Ajax does not have a good record against English sides. With seven outings having come and gone since they last tasted victory, and they will be aware that United will be a big threat in this match. As it is the Red Devils have won six of their previous 10 outings against Eredivisie sides, but have only secured one victory in five on Dutch soil.

It has to be said that the reigning Premier League champions find themselves missing from the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time in six years and are set to take in UEFA Cup/Europa League action for the first time since 1995/96. Interestingly, they have only been involved in four UEFA Cup fixtures under Sir Alex Ferguson, and all of those games finished in draws.

And as history is concerned, Ajax and United have only met on one previous occasion in European competition, with Tommy Docherty's Red Devils securing a 2-1 aggregate success in the first round of the 1976/77 UEFA Cup.

Team News :

Ajax Team News :
Ajax picked up their first competitive victory of 2012 on Saturday, as they saw off NAC Breda, but that win came at a cost to them. Midfielder Eyong Enoh suffered a hamstring tear and he will join the likes of Theo Janssen, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, Derk Boerrigter, Gregory van der Wiel and Andre Ooijer on the injured list. However, left-back Nicolai Boilesen could come back into Frank de Boer's plans after being out for five months.


Manchester United Team News :
Sir Alex Ferguson took a strong side to Amsterdam with Rio Ferdinand set to be named as Captain. Ferdinand takes over as Captain as Evra is rested for this match. Ryan Giggs is out with an ankle injury as well as Dimitar Berbatov, who was injured in training on Tuesday. Nani (foot) and Phil Jones (ankle) return after missing the last four matches, but Anders Lindegaard, Nemanja Vidic, Anderson and Michael Owen is still on the injured lists.

Predictions

Go for Manchester United to win and restore some pride for the English after being knocked out of the Champions League and with Arsenal's heavy defeat to A.C Milan last night.

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Go for Manchester United to win here.