Ajax v Real Madrid: Can Dutch dynamos keep up their home streak?
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465 days. That’s how long it’s been since Ajax last tasted defeat at Johan Cruyff Arena. But visiting sides don’t come much bigger than Real Madrid.
Los Blancos are eyeing up a fourth Champions League title on the spin. And despite a poor start to the season, they’re now moving up through the gears.
With all the ingredients of a continental cracker, we’ve got the odds and info ahead of tonight’s tussle…
Match Odds
Real have won each of the last six meetings between these clubs. But this time they’re off to Amsterdam without the talismanic Cristiano Ronaldo.
Still, the visitors are even-money favourites to win ahead of kick off. Meanwhile, we go 27/10 for the Draw and 12/5 for an Ajax victory.
The Spanish giants have scored 16 times in their last six games, but managed just one clean sheet in the process. Over 2.5 Goals is on offer at 8/15, while a 2-2 draw could prove popular at 10s.
Talking Tactics
Both sides favour a 4-3-3, though De Godenzonen are slightly less gung-ho. Boss Erik ten Haag likes a holding-midfield duo – often Frenkie de Jong and Daley Blind.
Nicolas Tagliafico is a big loss at left-back, where Daley Sinkgraven is likely to slot in. Meanwhile, it could be a trio of Dusan Tadic, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Hakim Ziyech gunning for goal.
The hosts boast plenty of pace, meaning Real could involve rapid young midfielder Federico Valverde from the start.
Karim Benzema has made the XI for all but 37 of Los Blancos’ 39 games this term. The experienced Frenchman should find himself flanked by Vinicius Junior and Lucas Vazquez here.
Goalscorer Odds
Former Southampton ace Tadic is on 22 goals for the season, and has already bagged CL braces against Bayern Munich and AEK Athens this term. He’s 19/10 Anytime, and 9/1 to notch Two or More Goals.
As for ex-Real hitman Huntelaar, he’s 7/4 to notch against his old employers.
In the current Madrid side, nobody does early goals quite like Benzema. True to form, the 31-year-old has broken the deadlock in two of his last three outings. It’s 4/1 he notches First here.
Fancy an Anytime longshot? Then Marcelo could be your man. The left-back has scored four CL goals since the start of last season, and is 11/2 to make it a high-five here!
Match Info
Where: Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam
When: 8:00pm
How to watch: BT Sport 3
Click here for the latest Ajax v Real Madrid odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
