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English club Brighton & Hove Albion have been the biggest wonder in recent football. Getting promoted to the English Premier League in 2017, Brighton & Hove Albion secured their first-ever European participation as they qualified for the UEFA Europa League.
But it seems the honeymoon period is over for the Seagulls. They have won only one of their last seven games in all competitions. However, the Roberto de Zerbi boys are very desperate to get back on the winning track and will do everything to seal the three points when they host AFC Ajax tonight in the Europa League game.
On the flip, Dutch club AFC Ajax have been struggling since the start of the season. They have won only one of their first seven games in Eredivisie. It will be very difficult for the Dutch side to win tonight against Brighton at Amex Stadium.
Stats & Facts
- As it is the first participation for Brighton in the Europa League, they will meet Ajax for the very first time. However, Ajax have never played against an English Side in the group stage of the Europa League.
- Against the English sides, the records for AFC Ajax are below average. They have lost six of their last seven meetings against English clubs in European competitions. The last time Ajax won against a Premier League side was Tottenham Hotspur when they beat the Spurs by 1-0 margin in 2017.
- Ajax have lost four consecutive matches in Eredivisie. They have conceded 14 goals in their last five matches in all competitions, while they scored only 8.
- Brighton conceded 13 goals in their last five games in all tournaments and scored six.
Roberto de Zerbi on facing Ajax
Roberto de Zerbi, the manager of Brighton & Hove Albion, spoke in the pre-match press conference. He shared his thoughts on AFC Ajax. De Zerbi said, “The history of Ajax is incredible. They are in a difficult moment. But every year they play in Europe and play three games a week during this period. But it is football – if you are better[on the day] you will win the game whether you have the history or not. But we know it will be very difficult.
Team News
Brighton will miss the service of Solly March and Danny Welbeck. “Solly has a very tough injury and we will lose him for a long period, Welbeck the same,” Roberto de Zerbi confirmed.
Jakub Moder has returned to the training ground but today’s game comes too soon for him. However, Julio Enciso, Pervis Estupinan, and Tariq Lamptey are unavailable for selection due to their injury.
As for Ajax, they will miss the service of Devyne Rensch, Jay Gorter, Geronimo Rulli, Sivert Mannsverk, Ahmetcan Kaplan, and Georges Mikautadze because of their injury.
Possible Lineup for Brighton:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Webster, Igor; Gilmour, Gross; Adingra, Fati, Mitoma; Ferguson
Possible Lineup for Ajax:
Ramaj; Gaaei, Sutalo, Hato, Sosa; Taylor, Tahirovic, Vos; Forbs, Brobbey, Bergwijn
Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Ajax
Both teams are now in a very difficult situation. But AFC Ajax are on a four-game losing streak! They are now just one place above the bottom club FC Volendam in Eredivisie. Therefore, it will be very difficult for the Dutch club to win against Brighton.
Betfair Odds
Brighton: 1.29
Draw: 6.51
AFC Ajax: 9.55
Visit BFB247 to get real-time Betfair Odds
