Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Europa League clash between Ajax and Galatasaray, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Looking to retain their unbeaten status for the entirety of the league phase, Galatasaray will visit the home of Ajax in the Europa League on Thursday night.
De Godenzonen are set to be involved in the playoff round next month, whilst Cimbom are still fighting for an automatic spot in the last 16 of the competition.
Match preview
© Imago
Following a sobering fifth-placed finish in the Eredivisie during the 2023-24 campaign, Dutch giants Ajax are beginning to slowly ascend towards the top of European football once again, with Thursday night’s hosts practically assured of a place in the top 24 of the Europa League.
Collecting 10 points from their first seven matches of the league phase, De Godenzonen are sitting in 16th position in the 36-team rankings, meaning that an extraordinary set of results would need to occur to knock the Eredivisie side out of the competition on the final matchday.
That being said, there was a shock result for Ajax last Thursday night, when Francesco Farioli‘s troops were stunned by Latvian minnows Rigas Futbola Skola, who snatched all three points from their battle in Riga courtesy of a late strike from 22-year-old midfielder Adam Markhiev.
Back on their own patch for the first time since the 2-1 Eredivisie success over RKC Waalwijk on January 11, De Godenzonen will be looking to continue a stellar recent record at the Johan Cruijff Arena, with the hosts enjoying a three-game winning streak at the Amsterdam venue.
© Imago
Heading into the final game of their January schedule, Galatasaray have tasted defeat in a competitive match on just three occasions so far during a terrific 2024-25 campaign, with two of those losses coming against Young Boys in Champions League qualifying in August, sentencing the Turkish side to a term in the Europa League.
Cimbom have not sulked following that heartbreak against the Swiss champions, though, instead turning into one of the best outfits in UEFA’s second-tier club competition, with Thursday’s visitors alongside Lazio and Manchester United as one of three clubs who are still unbeaten in the league phase.
However, a record of four draws across seven contests so far means that Okan Buruk‘s men still have plenty of work to do in order to secure an automatic spot in the last 16, with Galatasaray currently occupying ninth position, one point and one place behind FCSB in eighth.
Despite being wanted by a number of elite European clubs over the summer, Victor Osimhen eventually opted for a loan move to Cimbom, with the Nigerian marksman a key asset for the Turkish side, scoring 16 goals in all competitions, including four goals in five Europa League battles.
Ajax Europa League form:
Ajax form (all competitions):
Galatasaray Europa League form:
Galatasaray form (all competitions):
Team News
© Imago
Picking up his third yellow card of the league phase last time out, Branco van den Boomen is suspended for Ajax’s home clash on Thursday night.
De Godenzonen are also battling against a number of fitness issues, with Benjamin Tahirovic last featuring in November after a head injury.
The hosts’ options at left-back are restricted by the absence of Owen Wijndal, with the 25-year-old a doubt for matchday eight due to a knock.
Galatasaray talisman Osimhen will have to cope without the playmaking abilities of Hakim Ziyech, who is out of contention because of personal reasons.
Cimbom’s attack has been weakened further by the long-term absence of Mauro Icardi, who suffered a campaign-ending knee injury in November.
Ajax possible starting lineup:
Pasveer; Gaaei, Sutalo, Rugani, Baas; Fitz-Jim, Henderson, Taylor; Traore, Godts, Akpom
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Ayhan, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Kutlu; Yilmaz, Mertens, Akgun; Osimhen
We say: Ajax 1-1 Galatasaray
With two European heavyweights clashing in Amsterdam, we are expecting a hard-fought affair between Ajax and Galatasaray on Thursday night.
Cimbom will be desperate to earn three points but will also be cautious of losing their unbeaten status, so a share of the points seems to be the most likely outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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Galatasaray: Muslera, Elabdellaoui, Luyindama, Marcao, Saracchi, Taylan, Feghouli, Antalyali, Belhanda, Onyekuru, Dervisoglu
This promises to be an exciting match between two top teams, so be sure to tune in and catch all the action. Who do you think will come out on top in this clash between Ajax and Galatasaray? Share your predictions in the comments below!
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