Ajax v Ludogorets Razgrad

Ajax v Ludogorets Preview

Ajax have one foot firmly planted in the group stage of this season's Europa League already as the Dutch giants registered a comprehensive victory over their Bulgarian opponents in last week's 1st leg tie and the hosts will be eager to finish the job when the two teams meet again at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Thursday night.

Ajax well and truly came out on top in the 1st leg of this Europa League play-off against Ludogorets as they registered a comprehensive 4-1 win at the Huvepharma Arena and now with home advantage behind them for this 2nd leg, Ajax will undoubtedly be looking for more of the same here as well.

On the domestic front, Ajax still remain unbeaten in the early stages of the new Dutch Eredivisie campaign as they have registered a 4-1 home win against Heracles along with picking up a point in a lively 2-2 draw away from home at Excelsior as well, while goals also look set to feature again in this 2nd leg European tie on Thursday night.

Seven of Ajax's last 10 ties overall in the Europa League have resulted in Over 2.5 goals and given their dominance in last week's 1st leg, Ajax and goals looks a decent prospect here.

Ludogorets now have a mountain to climb after last week's 4-1 capitulation at home to their Dutch counterparts and the Bulgarian visitors are now left with little choice other than having a real go against Ajax at the Johan Cruijff Arena in this return leg.

However, the visitors did manage to inflict a devastating backlash of their own in the subsequent domestic game in the Bulgarian First League on the weekend when they registered a convincing 5-0 home win against Beroe which will give the visitors a glimmer of a chance in the Netherlands.

Goals also look likely where Ludogorets are concerned as well, as no fewer than eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions have produced three goals or more including a 6-3 win on aggregate against Kazakhstan outfit, Astana, in the previous round of the Europa League qualifying stages.

It's results away from home though that look set to confirm Ludogorets' exit from this season's Europa League competition as the visitors have been handed five defeats in their last six outings on the road in all competitions with four of these last six away games also seeing the Bulgarian visitors conceding two goals or more in the process.

Ajax v Ludogorets Verdict

Ajax are expected to flex their muscles once again in this 2nd leg tie against Ludogorets where the hosts should record another comfortable victory with a few goals sprinkled in for good measure.

Therefore, our main bet will be Both Teams To Score No @ 1.90

Other side bets worth considering:

Ajax win & Over 3.5 goals @ 2.25

Correct score: Ajax 3-0 @ 8.50