PAOK Thessaloniki FC vs Ajax Amsterdam Preview and Prediction
PAOK Thessaloniki FC vs Ajax Amsterdam
Champions League Qualification
Date: Tuesday, 6 August 2019
Kick-off at 18:00 UK / 19:00 CET
Venue: Toumba Stadium (Thessaloniki).
PAOK vs Ajax: Prediction
The hosts are unbeaten in their last twelve matches here and have won clean sheets in five of the previous six matches.
However, Ajax itself has felt nothing but success in their last seven trips on the road, in all competitions, one of which is against the eventual runner-up of the previous edition, Tottenham.
In addition, the only disadvantage of PAOK Thessaloniki for this side was in the same place three years ago. Given that Ajax is a much more competent and experienced team, a victory more than likely swung in favor of Dutch clothing at the end of ninety minutes.
The home side collected sixty-six goals in the pocket in their previous domestic campaign, more than half of which came from their clash at home. In addition, no party can maintain a clean sheet in the two previous meetings at this place.
Considering that PAOK Thessaloniki also scored fourteen goals in their last five home matches, a high-scoring clash, involving both teams on the scorecard, is definitely in the calculations.
BETTING TIPS VS THESSALONIKI TIPS VS AJAX
They are the story of the season in the Champions League just a few months ago, but now Ajax has a difficult road back to the group stage. After running into the semi-finals, you will imagine Ajax will be considered the European elite once again. However, the Dutch giant is a victim of the Eredivisie position. They now need to navigate two qualifying rounds just to make a group stage, so the new appearance of the Ajax side without Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong faces the initial test against PAOK.
The hosts may have won the Greek title last season, but they will need work to make an impact in this match. They are heading into this game with a number of horrible forms in Europe behind them. They won just one of last season's Europa League group matches, losing five of six. That came after a failed attempt to make a Champions League group stage, which saw them fail against Benfica. The Portuguese side will then go on to finish behind Ajax in the group stage.
Ajax enjoyed a remarkable European trip last season while taking back control of the Dutch title. They play an attractive style that makes them get a lot of praise, but it's based on very talented players who have gone this summer. Their transfer business has provided a wide net, a move that Tottenham and Liverpool show as big risks. If the Dutch will strengthen their squad then they will need to claim the prize draw for the Champions League group stage.
The Dutch side has real problems in defense, with de Ligt a man who is difficult to replace. Ajax has brought three new central defenders this summer; Edson Alvarez from Mexico, Lisandro Martinez from Argentina and Kik Pierie, 18 years old. The three will not make a direct impact, which offers opportunities for PAOK. The Greek side have seen the scores of both teams in their last five home matches in this competition.
PAOK must push forward and get a goal here, but they meet with an attacking Ajax team. the visitors have seen the scores of the two teams in six of their last seven matches in Europe. In addition, the last five meetings between the two sides have seen both teams find the net, with 19 goals shared between them. More goals seem like Tuesday, so the two teams to score are our predictions.
HEAD TO HEAD
Ajax won 3-2 on aggregate when the two sides met in the Champions League in 2016.