Ajax vs Rangers Predictions

• Rangers have won just two of their last ten European away games, losing five.
• Ajax have won 13 of their last 14 competitive home games.
• Steven Bergwijn has scored seven goals in six appearances since returning to the Netherlands.

Ajax attention turns back to football

The summer of speculation surrounding Ajax players has finally ended and while it has been far from ideal for the Eredivisie champions they can at least turn their full attention back to on-pitch proceedings now.

That is not to say the transfer dealings have done anything to stop their domination of the Netherlands. They lost in the Dutch Super Cup at the end of July but have followed that with five successive wins to start the Eredivisie campaign, scoring 16 goals and conceding just three.

Away-day woes for Gers

De Godenzonen extended that streak with a 4-0 thrashing of Cambuur on Saturday just a couple of hours after Wednesday’s opponents Rangers were on the end of a painful defeat by the same scoreline at arch-rivals Celtic. They will need to pick themselves up from that and move on to stand any chance of avoiding another loss on their travels.

The Gers away form, particularly in Europe, is a concern. Despite a run to the Europa League Final last term they have won just two of their last ten European games outside of Glasgow and lost five of those. In all competitions they have only won two of their five trips this season and have conceded nine goals.

Bergwijn to fire hosts to victory

By contrast, Ajax won all six of their Champions League Group Stage games last term and have won 13 of their last 14 competitive home games. They are justified favourites for the win here and I’m backing them to get their campaign off to a flying start.

Both of Rangers’ defeats on the road this season have been to nil and they lost 2-0 to Union St Gilloise in qualifying, while they have conceded an average of 1.8 goals per away game so far. Ajax have won three of their last four home games without conceding, so a 2-0 correct score prediction appeals.

Those in the hunt for an anytime goalscorer could do a lot worse than former Tottenham man Steven Bergwijn. The Dutchman has been in sensational form since returning to his native country and a brace at the weekend made it seven goals in his six competitive starts for Ajax. He could punish Rangers on Wednesday.

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