Ajax v Manchester United Betting Tips: Under 2.5, 2017-05-24

Low-scoring grind expected between Ajax and Man United

Ajax Amsterdam
Younes, Traore, Ziyech (Ajax) © GEPA pictures

AJAX v MANCHESTER UNITED

Wednesday 24th May 2017 – Kickoff: 1945hrs

Football – Europe – Europa League Betting Tips

Wednesday night brings us the final of the Europa League where there is significant interest from the English side of things as Manchester United take on Ajax at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, with both teams’ seasons hingeing on this final.

Ajax finished runners-up to Feyenoord by just a one point margin at the end of the Eredivisie season, and so this final takes on even bigger meaning for the Dutch giants who have progressed through the group stages and knockout rounds to this important match.

However, Ajax have really struggled away from home in this competition which is reflected in their last five on the road in the Europa League; draws at Standard Liege and Legia Warsaw 1-1 and 0-0 respectively, were then followed by defeats at Copenhagen 2-1, Schalke 3-2 and Lyon 3-1.

Manchester United and Jose Mourinho have pinned United’s season’s hopes all on winning the Europa League, and this game has been dubbed by Mourinho as “United’s biggest game in their history” which is obviously not the case, given United’s many historical nights in the Champions League during the Ferguson era.

But, with financial stakes getting increasingly higher, the importance of this Europa League final cannot be underestimated for the Red Devils as it would cost them a reported 50 million pounds if they fail to win tonight. We can therefore safely assume that Mourinho is extremely unlikely to send his troops out all guns blazing to aim for a 3-0 lead at half-time!

And even though United have put together an unbeaten 10 match run after the group stages, their style of victory or even draws have been unconvincing. Eight of these last ten matches have resulted in under 2.5 goals by the way.

The absence of striker Ibrahimovic is a big loss from their attack, and I’m expecting another dull, dour encounter driven by Mourinho who might just get his wish for the win here, but perhaps grinding out a 1-0 win.

Pick: Under 2.5 @ 1.70 Betfair