Ajax welcomes APOEL in a second leg from the Champions League playoffs
Ajax welcomes APOEL in a second leg from the Champions League playoffs at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on Wednesday. After a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Levkosia in the first leg, this tie is still very open. Let’s take a look at this game in our Champions League predictions for today.
The first leg at the Neo GSP in Levkosia ended with a 0-0 draw, which leaves both teams with open chances for the second leg. Of course, Ajax’s chances look better, because the Dutch side will have the advantage to play at home on Wednesday. But APOEL didn’t concede an away goal in the first game, which could really help the Cypriots to progress.
Ajax finished the game in Levkosia with ten men on the pitch. In the 80th minute the right back Noussair Mazraoui recieved a second yellow card and had to leave the ground. He won’t be avaliable for selection by the manager Erik ten Hag for the second game in Amsterdam.
During the weekend Ajax had the opportunity to rest, not having a game in the domestic Eredivisie. This means that Erik ten Hag will enjoy his players being fresh for the second leg against APOEL.
The same could be said about APOEL as well, because Cyprus’ 1.Division have still not started. In other words, both teams will have the opportunity to face each other with fresh legs.
Some might say that Ajax are not the same team since players like Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong got sold. Of course, it’s true – these two players were crucial for the Dutch giant. But in same time we shall wait and see before judging the team’s potential at such an early phase of the season.
These are our Champions League predictions for the game between Ajax and APOEL from the Champions League playoffs on Wednesday. Ajax are the favourites here, but an away goal or two for APOEL could change a lot of things.