Champions League
2020-10-21 - Ajax vs Liverpool
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football : UEFA : Champions League
Venue : Johan Cruijff Arena
Wednesday 21st October 2020, 2000hrs
The 2020/21 UEFA Champions League kicks off this week, with Ajax welcoming Liverpool to the Johan Cruyff Arena on Wednesday.
Ajax and Liverpool face a tough test against Atalanta in Group D, although Danish newcomers Midtjylland shouldn’t pose too many problems in this group of four teams although it looks like being a race between the former three teams for the top two spots.
Ajax have started the season in strong form, winning four of their opening five Eredivisie games and scoring a total of 11 goals while conceding just three in reply.
Following clean-sheet victories over Sparta and Waalwijk, Ajax beat Vitesse before losing to Groningen in their first and only defeat of the campaign, but Erik ten Hag’s side bounced back in style last weekend, thrashing Heerenveen 5-1. Dusan Tadic bagged a brace, while Mohammed Kudus, Davy Klaassen and Antony also hit the target.
Despite losing key duo Hakim Ziyech and Donny van de Beek in the summer, ten Hag’s squad is still packed with top-quality players and the hosts have netted over 1.5 goals while winning four of their previous seven Champions League games, so they are clearly a threat on the European stage.
On the flip side, Liverpool have endured a shaky start to the 2020/21 campaign as the English champions won their opening three Premier League games, but they have only managed to take one point from a possible six in subsequent matches.
Before the international break, the Reds suffered a humiliating 7-2 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa before returning to action with a 2-2 draw against Everton although a number of Villa’s goals were somewhat fortunate.
Ajax have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Wednesday’s clash. Having notched up three goals and two assists in five appearances this term, Tadic is the Dutch side’s danger man while Liverpool will be without a number of key players - Virgil van Dijk and Thiago both picked up injuries last weekend, while Alisson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are also sidelined.
The Betting Verdict
Despite being without a number of star performers, Liverpool should still have enough firepower to get the better of Ajax here.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Ajax 1-2 Liverpool
