Match Overview
In this UEFA Europa League Group Stage match, Ajax will face off against Brighton at the Johan Cruijff Arena. The match is scheduled for November 9, 2023, with a kick-off time of 17:45 GMT. Both teams will be eager to secure a victory in order to improve their position in Group B. According to the odds, Brighton is considered the favorite with odds of 1.78, while Ajax has odds of 4.41 for a win.
Historical Face-Off
These two teams have only met once before in their history, which took place earlier in this UEFA Europa League campaign. In that encounter, Brighton emerged victorious with a convincing 2-0 win over Ajax on their home turf.
Local Team’s Recent Form
Ajax has had mixed results in their recent matches across all competitions. They have won two out of their last six matches and lost four. However, they have shown some promising performances, scoring an average of two goals per game during this period.
In terms of their performance in the UEFA Europa League group stage, Ajax finds themselves currently sitting at the bottom of Group B with just two points from three matches played. Their goal difference stands at -2 as they have scored four goals but conceded six.
Their most recent match was a domestic league fixture against Heerenveen where they secured an impressive 4-1 victory. This result showcased Ajax’s attacking prowess as they found the back of the net four times and demonstrated resilience by bouncing back from previous defeats.
Away Team’s Recent Form
Brighton has been inconsistent in their recent matches away from home. Out of their last six away games across all competitions, they have won one and drawn four matches while losing one game along the way.
Currently placed third in Group B of the UEFA Europa League, Brighton has accumulated four points from three matches. They have a positive goal difference of +1, having scored six goals and conceded five.
In their most recent match, Brighton faced Everton in a Premier League fixture that ended in a 1-1 draw. This result showcased their ability to compete against tough opposition and secure points away from home.
Key Players Spotlight
For Ajax, Steven Bergwijn has been in fine form recently, scoring seven goals and providing one assist in his 14 appearances across all competitions. His attacking prowess will be crucial for Ajax’s chances of success in this match.
Brighton’s João Pedro has also been impressive this season, netting seven goals and contributing one assist in his 18 appearances so far. He will be a key player to watch out for as he possesses the ability to create scoring opportunities for his team.
Statistical Insights
Based on recent performances, both teams have shown a propensity for scoring goals. Ajax has scored an average of two goals per game over their last six matches while Brighton has averaged 1.5 goals per game during the same period.
Defensively, both teams have struggled at times, conceding an average of just under two goals per game over their last six matches respectively.
Prediction: Ajax 1 – 2 Brighton
Taking into consideration the current form and statistics of both teams, it is expected to be a closely contested match between Ajax and Brighton. However, given Brighton’s strong performance in their previous encounter and their slightly better recent away record compared to Ajax’s home form, it is predicted that Brighton will come out on top once again with a narrow victory.
Prediction: Ajax 1 – 2 Brighton
