Preview:Ajax vs Benfica – prediction, team news, lineups

The only two teams without a point so far in the Champions League campaign will face each other at the Johan Cruyff Arena on matchday five on Tuesday, with Ajax hosting Benfica.

The Dutch side – led by interim manager Fred Grimm – were Galatasaray won 3-0 On the third day of the match, while the Portuguese visitors suffered a loss 1-0 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen,

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match preview

A disastrous second half condemned Ajax to another disappointing Champions League night as the Lancers unraveled during a 19-minute spell in which Victor Osimhen scored a hat-trick in Galatasaray’s trip to Amsterdam.

After humiliations against Marseille (4-0) and Chelsea (5-1) and an opening day 2-0 defeat to Inter Milan, the Lancers could hardly have imagined a worse start to their 19th campaign in the main stage of Europe’s elite.

Shipping 14 leaves the Amsterdammers with the weakest defense among all 36 teams, while their only goal conceded is the lowest in the competition, so it is little surprise that Ajax remain at the bottom of the league stage standings.

The Lancers, who were eliminated in last season’s Europa League in the round of 16 after home and away defeats against Eintracht Frankfurt, have now suffered seven consecutive defeats in continental fixtures – the longest such run in club history.

Meanwhile, Ajax have had eight defeats in their last nine appearances in the Champions League group stage/league stage (W1), and De Joden do not look like a team capable of ending their European misery given the ongoing turmoil.

Still without a permanent manager since the dismissal of Jonny Heitinga, interim boss Grim has suffered three consecutive defeats, including a 2-1 league setback against SBV Excelsior At the Cruyff Arena on Saturday.

Currently out of top four Eredivisie standingsThat defeat also means that De Joden have now lost three of their last four home games in all competitions (D1), while a win at Twente remains Ajax’s only success in nine competitive fixtures (D2, L6).

Life was not quite as tumultuous for Tuesday’s visitors, who snapped a two-game winning streak with a 2-0 win against Atletico Club de Portugal in the Taça de Portugal at the weekend, although a frustrated Jose Mourinho needed to make four half-time changes to turn things around.

Now through to the last 16 in the competition, Benfica, who won the Supertaça at the start of the season, have enjoyed steady progress on the domestic front, and have also reached the semi-finals of the League Cup.

However, a disappointing 2-2 draw against Casa Pia The Eagles have dropped six points in their most recent top-flight outing Primeira Liga summitWhile sitting second from bottom in the league stage standings represents their worst position in any competition this period.

Very strangely for a two-time Champions League winner, Mourinho has lost each of his three UCL games without scoring, including a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea, a 3-0 upset at Newcastle United and his latest setback against Leverkusen at the Estadio da Luz.

Benfica have now lost each of their last six fixtures in Europe’s top-tier club competition, although the Eagles can take encouragement from a 1-0 success against Ajax when the two teams last met in Amsterdam, even if that stands as one of only two wins in their last nine fixtures (D3, L4).

Ajax Champions League form:

Ajax Form (All Contests):

Benfica Champions League form:

Benfica form (all competitions):

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team news

Although he returned from injury with a small cameo last time out, left-back Owen Wijnald is unlikely to play on Tuesday, while right-back Anton Gueye remains a doubt after being forced off on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Steven Barguis and Branco van den Boomen have been sidelined as they recover from groin and back problems respectively.

Wout Weghorst has not scored in four consecutive matches, so it would not be a surprise if the 33-year-old makes way for Kasper Dolberg, who scored a consolation for Ajax against Excelsior.

The introductions of Leandro Barreiro, Andreas Schjeldrup, Samuel Dahl and Richard Rios – who found the net in the encounter – added sparkle to Benfica’s second-half performance last time out, so the majority – if not all – could earn starting roles on Tuesday.

Mourinho is expected to revert to his preferred 4-2-3-1 after failing in the 3-4-3 against Atletico, while Anatoly Trubin is expected to return in goal for the big stage, with Georgy Sudakov also set for a recall after a rest.

Still searching for a Champions League goal after scoring in the opening 3-2 defeat against Qarabag, Vangelis Pavlidis can take confidence from finding the target in consecutive matches for Benfica as he looks to strike again at the Cruyff Arena, having done so in three of his last four visits with AZ Alkmaar and Willem II.

Dodi Luukbakio, who suffered a fractured ankle while on international duty, has now undergone successful surgery and is expected to be out for around three months.

Meanwhile, right-back Alexander Bah, winger Bruma and defensive midfielder Manu Silva will continue their long recovery journey to fitness.

Ajax probable starting lineup:

Trubin; Dahl, Otamendi, A Silva, Dedic; Rios, Barreiro; Ausens, Sudakov, Schjeldrup; Pavlidis

Benfica probable starting lineup:

Pashvir; Gaei, Sutalo, Baas, Elders; Regier, Taylor; Edvardsen, Glaukh, Gods; Dolberg

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We say: Ajax 1-2 Benfica

Ajax have struggled at both ends of the pitch, especially in defence, so Benfica could have the perfect opportunity to end their Champions League drought.

The Eagles have the better pace, with De Joden’s bust adding another layer of difficulty for the hosts, so Mourinho’s men can depart Amsterdam with smiles on their faces.

Please click here for data analysis of the most probable outcomes of this match, scoreline and more.

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