Ajax vs Juventus Predictions

The influx of money into the big five European leagues left the former powerhouses of Ajax left behind over the last couple of decades. Their incredible youth development system continued to bring through new and exciting players, but they were pilfered from the Amsterdam club before their potential was realised.

That is still the case, of course, but their most recent influx of young talent has been exceptionally gifted, and with all of them coming of age at the same time, it’s led to an incredible season for de Godenzonen.

Ajax have made it to the Champions League quarter finals for the first time since 1997, and they have done so in style. They beat the most successful side in Europe when they overturned a first leg deficit to beat Real Madrid 5-3 on aggregate, and they have managed to maintain their two horse Eredivisie title race with PSV at the same time.

Their most recent outing, a 4-1 thrashing of Willem on Saturday, made it nine wins from their last 10 matches in all competitions, and they will be hoping to carry this confidence through to their quarter final tie with Juventus here.

Of course, Juventus are one of the big powers in the Champions League. They eliminated Atletico Madrid in the last 16 and have serial Champions League winner Cristiano Ronaldo on their books. Their Serie A win over AC Milan on Saturday made it seven wins from their last eight in all competitions, leaving them a monstrous 20 points clear of nearest challengers Napoli.

However, they are facing a side who have proven that they can beat anybody. Ajax’s 4-1 win at the Bernabeu was a sensational attacking performance, and a result like that can inject doubt into even the most optimistic of Juventus fans’ minds.

Not only that, but Juventus have already lost three Champions League matches this season, one of which was a 2-1 defeat away to Young Boys in the group stages. Ajax, on the other hand, have an excellent record in the competition, losing just once in their last 16 Champions League matches.

That singular defeat was their 2-1 loss at home in the first leg against Real Madrid, but prior to that they hadn’t lost a home game in the competition since 2015.

Whatever happens on Wednesday, we’re expecting Ajax to give Juventus a real game. The hosts have scored in all eight of their Champions League games since the group stages began, netting 16 times in total. They haven’t failed to score in a home game in the competition since 2014 either, and they have scored in every one of their competitive home games this season.

Juventus have found the net in all but one of their Champions League matches this season though, so Ajax’s defence will be up against it here. With the Turin giants conceding four goals in their last two Champions League away days, we think backing Both Teams to Score here is an excellent option. Considering Ajax’s incredible record in the competition and Juventus’ failures away to Atletico Madrid and Young Boys, we’re also going for a 2-1 win for Ajax.

We’re also backing Dusan Tadic to continue his fantastic season for Ajax. He has scored 26 goals across 37 Eredivise and Champions League games this season, with six of them coming in the Champions League. With eight goals in his last nine competitive games, he looks a fantastic price for our anytime goalscorer predictions.