Ajax v Celtic Betting Preview, 2015-09-17

It could be a long night for Celtic in Amsterdam.

Europa League Tips

Ajax v Celtic
Thursday 17th September – Kickoff: 1800hrs
Football – Europe – Europa League

This is not the European competition that either of these clubs had hoped they would have been participating in when they returned to pre-season training, but defeats in Champions League qualifying for both means it is the Europa League for both Ajax and Celtic. What will be even more frustrating for the two managers is that despite being looked upon as an easier tournament – which it undoubtedly is – they have been drawn in arguably the hardest of the groups meaning every game will be important as they battle it out with Fenerbache and Molde for the top two positions.

Ajax fell in the second-round of qualifying when losing out to Rapid Vienna over two legs. Frank De Boer’s men gained a credible 2-2 draw in Austria but were unable to complete the job, losing 3-2 at home. It was a surprise but served as an indication of how far they have dropped over the last decade or so when it comes to their status at the top level of European football. The Dutch club did manage to reach the quarter-finals of this competition last season, falling to eventually runners-up Dnipro on away goals. As the Europa League is getting stronger season by season, it would be no disgrace should Ajax reach the same stage once again.

There is no getting away from his disappointing a last few weeks it has been for Celtic and their manager Ronny Delia. For the second season in a row the Hoops crashed out at the play-off stage of Champions League qualification. Swedish champions Malmo were their conquerors this time around but it was more the manner of their performance in the away leg that would have frustrated the Celtic support, as feeble as it was. Since that elimination, Delia’s men have slipped five points behind Aberdeen in three Scottish Premiership, losing to that same opponent 2-1 on Saturday. Those two episodes mean the pressure is on the Norwegian for the first time since this time 12 months ago and a trip to Amsterdam to face the current Eredivise leaders is hardly the fixture anybody associated with Celtic would have wanted at the moment.

De Boer’s men have begun their domestic campaign very strongly and looked much better equipped to give PSV a more sustained challenge this time around. Having won the previous four Dutch titles, the Amsterdam side finished 16 points behind their rivals so will be determined to put things right. They’ve certainly started in the correct manner, winning four and drawing the other of their first five games. What will also have pleased the manager is how more efficient they look in an attacking sense. With an average of just under three goals scored thus far, it is distinctly better than 2013/14 season when they averaged less than two goals per game. It remains to be seen whether they can continue scoring at that rate but with the form of Anwar El Ghazi is in at the moment, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them continue putting opposition defences to the sword.

Things have turned sour very quickly for Celtic in recent weeks. Following an excellent second half of last season, the Scottish champions seemed to have regressed and there has been some strange decisions made by the manager and his coaching team. Virgil Van Dijk has of course been sold on, but Jozo Simunovic – the player signed as a direct replacement – was not even on the bench for Saturday’s defeat at Aberdeen. He could well make his debut this evening but it is a risk to throw a player in for the first time on such an occasion. What Delia will be hoping is for his players to show some of the resilience and character they displayed in their Europa League campaign last season. On more than once occasion Celtic had to come back from goals down to get a result and it will be a similar scenario this season with so much quality in their section.

Ajax v Celtic Betting Tips

Both of these clubs are steeped in European history and are massive names around World football, let alone Europe. Unfortunately for Ajax and Celtic, however, neither of the current squads are close to anything like what the great teams of that past have accomplished. Ajax appear to be at the beginning of building another team that will likely challenge for every domestic honour, but recent history has suggested that this is not even close to doing something similar in Europe. Celtic were expected to dominate Scottish football for the foreseeable future but Saturday’s events have shown that that may not even be the case with a strong challenge from Aberdeen emerging.

This will be the second time in three seasons that these two clubs have been paired together in European competition. Two seasons it was the Champions League and both games went the way of the home side on each particular occasion. How the next two games between them go remains to be seen but I think it’s fair to say that Ajax are deserved favourites heading into tonight’s game. Not only do they have home advantage, but De Boer’s men have begun their season in better form, save for the defeat to Rapid in qualification.

Celtic look vulnerable in defence and could be in for a long evening as Delia will have to make another change to his back line with the news that Charlie Mulgrew is missing through injury. What Celtic can do, however, is score goals, managing six away from home in last season’s Europa League group. Leigh Griffiths will likely be given the job of leading the line tonight.

We know that clubs on the continent take the Europa League very seriously and that will mean Ajax will be looking to get their campaign off to the best possible start. Frank De Boer is also a former Rangers player so there will be added motivation for the Ajax manager this evening. I can’t see anything other than a home win and still believe the 4/5 on offer is a touch on the big side. Celtic’s defensive frailties are there for all to see and although they are always capable of scoring themselves, the Ajax attack will prove too much. Such is the prospect of a few goals, I think a home win and over 2.5 goals scored in the game is worth a play.

Ajax and over 2.5 goals 19/10 @ Betfair