REAL MADRID v AJAX
Champions League
Tuesday 5th March 2019
Kickoff: 2000hrs
Pick: Real Madrid to win
Bookmaker: Betfair
Odds: 1.67 (odds taken at 00:38 GMT, 05 Mar 2019)
In the second tie being played on Tuesday night in the Champions League 2nd leg round of 16, Real Madrid take on Ajax as the betting tips continue in this prestigious competition with the hosts looking to seal their place in the quarter-finals…
Champions League Betting at Betfair
Real Madrid Prediction
Real Madrid earned what could turn out to be a vital 2-1 win away at Ajax in the first leg of this last round of 16 tussle, and they’ll now be looking to protect this lead at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in this second leg with the hosts seeking a place in the quarter-finals.
However, Real Madrid’s season has rarely been smooth sailing as they are still coming to terms with the departure of their former star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, and they are not the side they were with Ronaldo being such an integral part of their successes.
In addition, Real Madrid have suffered recent back-to-back defeats to their arch-rivals, Barcelona, in the Copa del Rey and La Liga, both losses coming at home in 3-0 and 1-0 defeats respectively.
Nevertheless, the hosts have something to hold onto here, and with the La Liga title now beyond them as they trail leaders Barcelona by a massive 12 points, the Champions League is now their last hope of collecting some silverware come the end of the season.
Home advantage has played a big part of Real Madrid’s former successes and it’s no surprise to learn that the hosts have lost just 2 of their last 25 matches at home in the Champions League.
- Real Madrid have lost just 2 of their last 25 matches at home in the Champions League
- Ajax have won just 3 of their last 20 away ties in the Champions League
- Ajax have kept just 4 clean sheets from these 20 away matches
Ajax Prediction
Ajax will head into this crucial second leg in Madrid on the back of three wins on the trot in all competitions having secured back-to-back wins in the domestic Eredivisie with victories over NAC Breda and Den Haag, winning in emphatic style with crushing 5-0 and 5-1 wins respectively, along with a KNVB Beker cup win against Feyenoord, 3-0.
The visitors have therefore scored a total of 13 goals in their last three matches which will give them a massive boost ahead of this difficult second leg against Real Madrid as they seek to overcome a 2-1 deficit.
However, three wins from their last 20 away matches at this level suggests a win in Madrid, even against a stuttering Real Madrid outfit, may well be beyond them here. With no disrespect, wins at PAOK, Sturm Graz and AEK Athens aren’t in the same category as Real Madrid, and the Dutch side could struggle again when they hit the road for this second leg.
Betting Tips Verdict
Real Madrid will be desperate to return to winning ways following back-to-back losses to Barcelona, and Ajax could be in for a tough night as a result.
