UEFA Champions League
Ajax vs Juventus Preview
- Date: Apr. 10, 2019
- Time: 3:00 p.m. (est)
- Network: Galavision
- Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Venue: Johan Cruyff ArenA
- Seating Capacity: 54,990
Ajax opens Johan Cryuff Arena’s doors as they they welcome Serie A champions Juventus on Wednesday night.
The home side is in quest of yet another upset in this competition after defeating Real Madrid in the first round.
However, Massimiliano Allegri’s side will have to have his Bianconeri side well prepared to come away with a positive result.
Ajax find themselves on top of the league with 71 points. However, PSV has the same mount of points but in second place.
Meanwhile, Juventus has a clear path to the Serie A title and will be able to rest many of its players.
Team News
Ajax right-back Noussair Mazraoui is up for suspension due to an accumulation of bookings in the competition. Additionally, the Dutch will be without Hassane Bande and Carel Eiting as both players continue to struggle with respective injuries.
The Bianconeri are confident that Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit for this match. The five-time Ballon d’Or has been sidelined since injuring his thigh while with Portugal. In addition, the Italian side will not count with long time absentees Juan Cuadrado, Douglas Costa, Emre Can and Andrea Barzagli.
Veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini looks to return to the lineup along with Alex Sandro after missing last Champions match due to a suspension.
Predicted Lineups
Ajax XI: Onana; Veltman, De Ligt, Blind, Tagliafico; Schone, De Jong, Ziyech, Van de Beek, Neres; Tadic.
Juventus XI: Szczesny; Rugani, Bonucci, Sandro; De Sciglio, Bentancur, Khedira, Bernardeschi, Spinazzola; Dybala, Ronaldo.
Prediction
The last time the two sides met in Amsterdam, Juventus took a victory with a smallest margin possible. However, both sides come to this fixture with impressive domestic records.
With both sides in excellent form, it may come down to the a mental battle between the two. The side that commits less mistake will come victories.
Ajax have shown they can play with the most veterans of teams after suffocating Real Madrid at home. However, the Italian giants with Cristiano Ronaldo at the helm will have more than a chance to win.
A win for a team is just appropriate. The Bianconeri will likely take the victory and series at home the following week.
Prediction: Ajax 2 – 1 Juventus
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Photo credit to Dickson Dagogo via Flickr
