Ajax v Brighton

Ajax vs Brighton Preview

Ajax and Brighton will lock horns at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Thursday night in this Matchday encounter in Group B with just two points separating the two clubs as the race for a top two finish in the group heats up with Ajax heading into this fixture on the back of a comprehensive 4-1 home win against Heerenveen, while Brighton earned a point in a 1-1 draw away from home at Everton in the Premier League.

Domestic back-to-back wins in the Dutch Eredivisie have helped Ajax salvage some pride in recent weeks as they secured a previous 2-0 home win against Volendam which has contributed to Ajax lifting themselves off the bottom of the league table and into 11th place after producing a disastrous start to the campaign.

Ajax had had to endure a dismal 10-match winless sequence in all competitions which consisted of just three draws but also seven defeats, so these recent wins will serve as a welcome boost for new manager, Johannes van't Schip, who has recently taken over the reigns from former boss, Maurice Steijn.

The Dutch hosts still have a lot of work to do though on the Europa League front as they have managed to register just one win from their last nine ties at this level which includes four defeats.

Brighton were involved in a second 1-1 draw on the trot in the Premier League when they earned a point at Goodison Park against Everton which followed a previous 1-1 stalemate at home against Fulham at their AMEX Stadium.

After succumbing to back-to-back defeats on the road at Chelsea in the Premier League and Aston Villa in the League Cup, Brighton have since managed to tighten things up a bit in subsequent weeks as The Seagulls have lost just once in their last six matches overall in all competitions and includes a 2-0 home win against their upcoming opponents on Thursday night, Ajax.

This season is Brighton's first ever appearance on the European stage and although the south coast club started in disappointing fashion as they suffered an opening Matchday 1 defeat at home to AEK Athens, The Seagulls have responded positively by earning a point in a 2-2 draw at Marseille which was then followed by the aforementioned 2-0 home win against Ajax.

Having won just three of their last 11 outings on the road in all competitions though, Roberto de Zerbi's side also have a lot of catching up to do.

Ajax v Brighton Verdict

Ajax on their own patch looks a potentially tough fixture for Brighton but The Seagulls will feel they have the measure of their Dutch counterparts following that recent win against their hosts.

Therefore, our main bet will be Brighton win @ 1.70

Other side bets worth considering:

Brighton win & Over 3.5 goals @ 3.40

Correct Score: Brighton 2-1 @ 8.50