Ajax welcome Frankfurt to the Amsterdam Arena for the first leg of their Europa League last 16 clash. The Dutch giants secured their place in the knockout rounds after a dramatic extra-time win over Union Saint-Gilloise, overcoming a first-half collapse and a red card to advance. Eintracht Frankfurt, on the other hand, were winners of this competition in 2021-22 and are hoping for another deep Europa League run after finishing fifth in the league phase.
Francesco Farioli’s side have built momentum with back-to-back Eredivisie wins over Go Ahead Eagles and Almere City, extending their lead at the top of the league to eight points. Ajax will also have confidence from their impressive home record against German teams, having lost just one of their last 21 UEFA matches on Dutch soil against Bundesliga opposition (W17, D3). In the Eredivisie, Ajax’s defensive form has been strong, conceding just 18 goals in 25 games. Ajax last won this competition in 1991-92 and will hope to take a step toward ending that drought.
Dino Toppmöller’s men have won just one of their last seven matches across all competitions (D3, L3), including heavy Bundesliga defeats to Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen. Their away form is also concerning, with losses in their final two Europa League group stage trips to Lyon and Roma. Despite recent struggles, Frankfurt have a strong last 16 record in Europe, progressing from six of their previous ties at this stage. In the Bundesliga, Frankfurt have been the third-best attacking team so far, scoring 50 goals after 24 games. Now, they will look to take inspiration from their 2021-22 triumph to regain momentum.
Ajax will be without Owen Wijndal, Youri Regeer, Christian Rasmussen, and Wout Weghorst, while Davy Klaassen is suspended following his red card against Union SG. Remko Pasveer is set to return in goal after recovering from a back issue.
Frankfurt will be missing defender Timothy Chandler due to a thigh injury, while Igor Matanovic and Oscar Højlund are not part of their Europa League squad. However, winter signings Michy Batshuayi, Arthur Theate, and Elye Wahi are all eligible, with Theate and Wahi expected to start.
Ajax possible lineup: Pasveer; Gaaei, Rugani, Baas, Hato; Fitz-Jim, Taylor, Mokio; Berghuis, Godts, Brobbey
Eintracht Frankfurt possible lineup: Trapp; Collins, Koch, Theate; Kristensen, Skhiri, Larsson, Gotze, Brown Ekitike, Wahi
AJAX VS EINTRACHT FRANKFURT
1.53
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE, YES
