'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Brighton & Hove Albion will invite Ajax to the Falmer Stadium in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.
Both teams have endured a winless start to their European campaigns, with the hosts earning just one point from two games and the visitors drawing their first two games of the season.
After suffering a narrow 3-2 home loss to AEK Athens in their campaign opener, Brighton played a 2-2 draw in their previous outing against Marseille. Chancel Mbemba and Jordan Veretout scored twice in two minutes to take a two-goal lead in the first half which was canceled out by goals from Pascal Groß and João Pedro in the second half.
The visitors played out a 3-3 draw at home against Marseille in their campaign opener and were held to a 1-1 draw by AEK Athens last time around. Steven Bergwijn's penalty goal was canceled out by Domagoj Vida in the second half.
The hosts suffered a 2-1 loss against Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday while the visitors fell to a 4-3 defeat to Utrecht in the Eredivisie on Sunday.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams will meet for the first time. The hosts will meet a Dutch team for the first time in a competitive match while the visitors have met English teams 32 times thus far.
- The visitors have nine wins in 32 meetings against English teams while suffering 15 defeats and drawing on eight occasions.
- Both teams head into the match in poor form, as Brighton & Hove Albion are winless in their last five games in all competitions. Ajax, meanwhile, are winless in their last eight games, suffering five defeats.
- Both teams have scored four goals in two games in the Europa League thus far.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam Prediction
The Seagulls have seen a drop in form recently and are winless in their last five games in all competitions, suffering three defeats. At home, they have suffered just two defeats this season, recording three wins in six games.
Roberto De Zerbi suffered two blows in his side's 2-1 loss to Manchester City in their first match back since the international break as Danny Welbeck and Solly March were injured in the first and second halves respectively.
The extent of the injuries are unknown but March likely faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Pervis Estupinan, Tariq Lamptey, Jakub Moderm, and Julio Enciso will also be sidelined for this match.
de Godenzonen have struggled to get going this season and have just two wins in 12 games across all competitions. They parted ways with Maurice Steijn after just four months and will take to the pitch in this match under the tutelage of caretaker manager Hedwiges Maduro.
While both teams have struggled in their recent games, the home advantage for Brighton and the visitors' eight-game winless run points to a narrow win for the English side.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 AFC Ajax Amsterdam
Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Brighton & Hove to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least a goal to be scored in the first half - Yes
Tip 4: Steven Bergwijn to score or assist any time - Yes
