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Ajax are in pole position to reach the Europa League last 16 as they welcome Union SG to the Johan Cruyff ArenA on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 20:00 UK time. With a two-goal lead from the first leg, the Dutch giants look to complete the job in front of their home fans, while Union SG face an uphill battle to overturn their deficit.

Interesting Fact: Ajax have won seven of their last eight home matches against Belgian opposition in European competitions, with the only loss coming against Anderlecht in 2009.

Team Analysis

Ajax

Ajax have been in red-hot form, winning their last five matches in all competitions. Their first-leg triumph over Union SG (2-0) was followed by a dominant 4-0 win over Heracles in the Eredivisie, keeping them two points clear at the top of the Dutch league.

Current Form:

• 🏆 Last 5 Matches: ✅✅✅✅✅
• 🔥 Last Match: Ajax 4-0 Heracles (Eredivisie)

Key Players:

• Christian Rasmussen – Scored the opener in the first leg and remains a key attacking outlet.
• Jorthy Mokio – The 16-year-old became Ajax’s youngest goalscorer in European competition last week.
• Brian Brobbey – Leads the line with pace and power, having scored in the weekend’s Eredivisie fixture.

Injuries & Suspensions:

• ❌ Out: Jordan Henderson (hamstring), Wout Weghorst (toe), Branco van den Boomen (back), Youri Regeer (ankle).
• 🤒 Doubtful: Kenneth Taylor (illness), Owen Wijndal (knock).

Home Form in the Europa League:

• 🏟 4 Matches: ✅✅✅❌ (3W, 1L)
• 🔥 Six-match home winning streak in all competitions.

Union SG

Union SG are in a slump, losing their last two games without scoring, including a 1-0 defeat to Mechelen in the Belgian Pro League last weekend. The Belgian side need to be “perfect” to stand any chance of overturning a two-goal deficit, as admitted by their coach Sebastien Pocognoli.

Current Form:

• ⚠️ Last 5 Matches: ❌❌✅✅✅
• ❌ Last Match: Union SG 0-1 Mechelen (Belgian Pro League)

Key Players:

• Franjo Ivanovic – The team’s top scorer with 14 goals this season.
• Promise David – Has netted 12 times in all competitions.
• Christian Burgess – A defensive leader who will need to be at his best.

Injuries & Suspensions:

• ❌ Out: Alessio Castro-Montes (muscle), Kamiel Van De Perre (hamstring).
• ✅ Returning: Ross Sykes (served suspension in the first leg).

Away Form in the Europa League:

• 🚨 4 Matches: ✅❌❌❌ (1W, 3L)
• ❌ Three-match away losing streak in the competition.

Head-to-Head & Past Encounters

• 🏆 First Leg: Union SG 0-2 Ajax (Feb 15, 2025)
• 🏟 Ajax have won seven of their last eight home matches against Belgian sides.
• ⚔️ This is the first time Union SG have faced Ajax in a European knockout tie.

Prediction

📊 Goal.mu/Mauri.bet predicts: Ajax 2-1 Union SG

Ajax have been dominant in recent weeks, and with their strong home record against Belgian teams, they are favourites to win. However, Union SG could find the net as they chase an improbable comeback.

Betting Tips

• ✅ Both Teams to Score: Yes – Union SG need to attack, and Ajax are always a goal threat.
• 🔼 Over 2.5 Goals: Yes – Ajax have scored 2+ goals in their last five games.
• 🎯 Anytime Goalscorer: Brian Brobbey – A focal point for Ajax’s attack.

Hot Stat:

Ajax have not conceded a goal in their last 293 minutes of play across all competitions.

Possible Lineups

Ajax (4-3-3):

Pasveer; Rosa, Rugani, Baas, Hato; Mokio, Klaassen, Fitz-Jim; Traore, Brobbey, Edvardsen.

Union SG (3-4-3):

Moris; Mac Allister, Burgess, Leysen; Khalaili, Vanhoutte, Sadiki, Niang; Fuseini, Promise, Ivanovic.

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