Valencia V Ajax
Wednesday 2 October 2019 – 20:00 Kick-Off
UEFA Champions League
Pick: Over 2.5 Goals
Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Unibet
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/2 | 5/2 | 7/4 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 30th September 2019 at 14:55)
Preview: The early leaders in Group H come into contact with each other here, as two former European champions meet at the Mestalla looking to do battle for early supremacy in the section. As hosts, Valencia will look to seize the initiative – but Ajax were renowned for upsetting the odds away from home last season and are not a team to be taken lightly.
UEFA Champions League Betting – 22Bet
Valencia Preview – Will Los Che make it five unbeaten in all competitions?
Spanish side Valencia (6/4 with MoPlay) would make it a winning start in Group H, leaving England with maximum points after benefiting from several acts of good fortune en route to recording a 1-0 victory over Chelsea. Not only were they thankful for some poor finishing from their benevolent hosts, who would dominate the xG count (CHE 2.87 – 0.91 VAL), but Los Che also watched on gleefully as the Premier League outfit missed a late opportunity to level proceedings from the penalty spot.
Since departing Stamford Bridge, Valencia have picked up five points out of nine in La Liga to stretch their current unbeaten run in all competitions to four (W2 D2). The latest of those was arguably the most impressive, travelling to an Athletic Bilbao side who were top of La Liga at the time and winning 1-0. The clean sheet will have been especially pleasing for manager Marcelino, who had watched on in disbelief as his players relinquished a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 at home to Getafe earlier in the week.
After an initial wobble under Marcelino, whose appointment a matter of weeks ago was not exactly universally endorsed by supporters, Los Che appear to have found some rhythm. It is now two wins in three under his tutelage (W2 D1), scoring at least once in all five of his matches in charge (8 in total). Things are less rosy at the Mestalla, though, where Valencia have earned just the one win all season (W1 D3), with three of those producing both teams to score.
Ajax Preview – Amsterdammers to continue unbeaten start to 2019/20?
That captivating run to the semi-finals of last season’s tournament, coming within seconds of appearing in the final, has essentially put Ajax back on the map. Prior to that we would need to hark back to 2006 for their most recent appearance beyond the group stage. So 2018/19 was huge for the club, earning them sufficient respect for everyone to now take them a lot more seriously. A domestic double would also go some way to easing those European woes.
The drawback to their success has been the loss of several key individuals. The team has seemingly coped well, however, opening with an eight game unbeaten streak (W6 D2) in the Netherlands Eredivisie, sitting top on goal difference, whilst also making a winning start in this competition with a 3-0 home win over Lille. The latter scoreline was a touch flattering (xG: AJA 1.51 – 2.00 LIL), suggesting there are still aspects of their game in need of improvement.
Another potential chink in the armour could be their form away from home. In Amsterdam Erik ten Hag’s team have been imperious, winning five in a row in all competitions whilst conceding only once. On their travels, however, while still impressive there are definite signs of vulnerability having drawn a couple (W2 D2) and failed to record a single clean sheet. They were also made to work hard at home for a 2-0 win by Gronigen at the weekend.
Valencia V Ajax Key Facts:
- Valencia sit 9th in Spain’s La Liga (W2 D3 L2), but arrive in this game unbeaten in four competitive matches (W2 D2).
- Ajax have made a strong defence to their Eredeivisie title in Holland by making an eight-game unbeaten start (W6 D2).
- The pair are meeting for the first time in this competition since 2002/03, when both encounters would finish 1-1.
Betting Summary
Fan discontent is easing with every positive result for Valencia, whose recent managerial change caused consternation among many. The team is gradually finding some form, though, and are now four competitive matches unbeaten (W2 D2) which includes a hard-fought 1-0 victory first time out in this competition at Chelsea. Although Marcelino’s men were extremely fortunate not to concede in that game.
The neutral’s favourite in 2018/19 were a thrilling Ajax side that would produce some truly scintillating performances on their travels, winning at places like Juventus and Real Madrid. An opening 3-0 victory against Lille was impressive but also flattering, in what was a more even contest than the scoreline suggests. Erik ten Hag’s men have also been more susceptible on the road this season (W2 D2 in Holland) and are still searching for a first away clean sheet.
This has the hallmarks for a tight contest. However, neither side has looked entirely convincing from a defensive standpoint, yet both continue to pose real problems with their attacking play. Therefore the best entry into a fixture between two teams in confident form could be banking on the pair contributing to a lively encounter with goals.
