Union Berlin vs Ajax – Betting Preview
The second leg of Union Berlin and Ajax’s Europa League knockout matchup will be played, and both teams are optimistic about moving on to the round of 16.
There will be hope ahead of Thursday’s match at Stadion At der Alten Forsterei despite the fact that the first match in the Netherlands went scoreless and both teams are performing well at home!
Union Berlin Preview
Union Berlin has risen to such prominence that people are now disappointed if they draw any match, even when they are playing European powerhouses like Ajax!
It was especially true of the first match, when VAR rejected a goal for the German team and prevented them from returning home with a slim advantage.
Nonetheless, after being involved to an unexpected 0-0 stalemate at home by last-place Schalke 04 over the weekend, Urs Fischer’s squad still holds the edge in the standings.
Union Berlin would currently be in first place in the Bundesliga if they had won that game, so Fischer must find a method to motivate his team after a discouraging 90 minutes.
On a more positive note, Union Berlin are unbeaten in 10 home league fixtures during 2022-23, their only defeat on familiar territory this season coming against Union SG back on September 8.
Ajax Preview
Ajax believes that this season has been average by their own lofty standards, especially at home, but they are still an unbeaten team after 13 games across all competitions.
After Johnny Heitinga was appointed interim manager, he has presided over five Eredivisie victories, bringing Ajax to within three points of league-leading Feyenoord.
Ajax thrashed Sparta Rotterdam with a clean sheet over the weekend, and another four goals were scored. In their previous five games, they have only let up one goal.
Although Heitinga and his side will be aware that their opponents’ level fell over the weekend when they had the opportunity to sit above Bayern Munich, both teams have great defensive records, thus this game may come down to narrow margins.
1×2 Betting Odds
Let’s analyse the 1×2 betting market.
Ajax would think that since they are scoring goals frequently at home, they can do the same on the continent.
Union Berlin, however, is more powerful than any side in the Eredivisie, and we believe that will manifest as they make it to the round of 16!
The odds of a victory for the home side stands @ 2.38.
Ajax will still feel optimistic of going ahead in the competition, but their odds of 3.58 make them the underdogs in this!
The possibility of yet another stalemate and extra time to ensue, stands @ 3.41.
Total goals over/under
Let’s analyse the over/under market.
The odds that the total number of goals scored will be over 2.5, stands @ 2.29.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 1.74.
Since the last one turned out to be a goalless affair, the market perhaps thinks even this one will be low on goal action.
But judging by the result odds, expect Union Berlin to prevail by a small margin.
