Ajax v Lazio: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Ajax are firmly on course for a top-eight place in the UEFA Europa League and they can make it four wins from six with a home victory over leaders Lazio.

Ajax v Lazio betting tips and predictions

Ajax to win - 5/4

Two teams very much in contention to seal a top-eight place in the UEFA Europa League meet when Ajax, in sixth, host leaders Lazio.

The Italian side have won four and drawn one of their first five games but Ajax are just three points behind after three victories, one draw and one defeat so far.

The hosts suffered that loss in their most recent game in the competition, going down 2-0 at Real Sociedad on matchday five, but they can respond with an important win at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday.

After entering the competition at the second qualifying round, Ajax have won four of their five home matches, with the only exception being a 1-0 defeat in Amsterdam in the third qualifying round, second leg to Panathinaikos, although they won that tie overall on penalties.

In the revamped league phase, Ajax have seen off Besiktas 4-0 and Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-0 at home and they can make it three from three in front of their own fans with victory over Lazio.

The visitors are also very well placed to qualify automatically for the knockout stage next year as they sit top following wins over Dynamo Kyiv, Nice, Twente and Porto and a draw last time at home to Ludogorets.

They are sure to be difficult opponents for the Dutch giants, especially as confidence will be high in the Lazio camp after a 1-0 Serie A win at Napoli on Sunday, but Ajax at home are usually a formidable outfit.

Francesco Farioli's side have won 10 of their 12 home games in all competitions this season and they can extend that fine run with another success on Thursday.

Both teams to score - Yes - 4/7

This should be a well contested tie with plenty of action at both ends as two teams who look poised to qualify for the next stage aim to keep up their good form in the competition.

Ajax are the joint top-scorers in the table, with 13 goals, while Lazio have hit 11 in their first five games, so the likelihood of them both netting in Amsterdam seems high.

Including their UEFA Europa League qualifyiing matches, Ajax have failed to score in only two of their 26 games this season in all competitions, while Lazio have also had only two blanks attacking-wise this season from 21 outings in all.

Both Ajax and Lazio have netted in four of their five games in the League phase and there have been goals at both ends in the Dutch side's last three matches leading up to this clash, while both teams have scored in two of Lazio's last three outings.

Mika Godts anytime goalscorer - 9/4

Mika Godts returned from a recent hamstring injury when coming off the bench to score in the 2-1 defeat at AZ Alkmaar on Sunday and he looks set to start on Thursday.

The winger has an impressive record in this season's UEFA Europa League, scoring three times in the league phase to add to the one he notched in qualifying, and he can help inspire the home side to victory again.

Godts usually gets himself into good shooting positions and despite starting only 13 games in all competitions this season, the 19-year-old has had 29 shots, 12 of which have been on target.

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Ajax v Lazio odds

Ajax - 5/4
Draw - 13/5
Lazio - 2/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.