Eintracht Frankfurt v Ajax: Free Tips, Prediction and Odds

Eintracht Frankfurt may not quite have one foot in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, but with a 2-1 lead and home advantage for the second leg of their last-16 tie with Ajax, they will fancy their chances of progressing.

Things were seemingly going well for Ajax during the first leg in Amsterdam after Brian Brobbey gave them an early lead, but Hugo Larsson soon levelled for Frankfurt before Ellyes Skhiri struck the decisive goal 20 minutes from time.

Dino Toppmoller's Frankfurt side now know if they avoid defeat at Deutsche Bank Park this midweek then they will be through to the last eight where they will face either Tottenham Hotspur or another Eredivisie team in AZ Alkmaar.

Eintracht Frankfurt v Ajax free betting tips and predictions

Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score - 1/1

Eintracht Frankfurt have a great affinity with the Europa League after lifting the trophy in 2022 and they caught the eye during the league phase, finishing fifth and taking 10 points from a possible 12 on home soil.

The Eagles have also enjoyed a strong Bundesliga campaign - they currently sit fourth in the standings - but their form has waned of late, with conceding goals proving a particular issue.

Frankfurt have lost their last three Bundesliga games, conceding 10 goals in the process, and they are without a clean sheet in nine matches across all competitions - ironically their last shut out came in their most recent Europa League home fixture against Ferencvaros.

At the other end, the goals have continued to flow, Frankfurt have netted in 15 of their last 17 games all told, while over 2.5 match goals has been a winning bet in each of their last five fixtures.

That suggests Thursday's clash could be free flowing and Ajax are certainly capable of contributing, not least as Francesco Farioli's side know they must score at least once to stand any chance of progressing from the tie.

Ajax have scored in each of their last 10 matches across all competitions, including two in the away leg of their last European tie against Union Saint-Gilloise.

The Eredivisie leaders, who are averaging two goals-per-game in the Dutch top flight this season, also sunk three at Qarabag earlier in this competition, while only three teams - Lazio, Tottenham and Galatasaray - outscored them during the league phase.

Picking a winner from this match, and indeed the tie, may not be easy, but whichever way this contest swings, goals and entertainment should be guaranteed.

Kenneth Taylor to score at any time - 5/1

Ajax midfielder Kenneth Taylor is a player in form and appears to offer plenty of value to get on the scoresheet at Deutsche Bank Park.

The Dutch international is a regular contributor of goals from deep, netting 13 across all competitions this term, including five in this Europa League run.

Taylor grabbed the all-important goal for Ajax during extra-time of their knockout phase play-off success over Union Saint-Gilloise, one of three goals he has notched in his last five appearances.

The 22-year-old has also struck the winning goal in Ajax's last two away games, including Sunday's Eredivisie success at PEC Zwolle.

That goal, as well as his strike against Union SG, came from the penalty spot, and being one of Ajax's regular spot-kick takers further increases his chances of continuing his hot streak and getting on the scoresheet this midweek.

Hugo Ekitike over 1.5 shots on target - 11/10

Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike was being slightly overshadowed in the goalscoring department by Omar Marmoush prior to the latter's mid-season move to Manchester City, but the Frenchman has still netted an impressive 18 goals across all competitions.

However, only two of those have come in his last eight appearances and he missed a stoppage-time penalty that would have salvaged a point from Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.

That missed spot kick means Ekitike will be keen to make amends on Thursday and he is certainly not a player that shirks responsibility in front of goal, as he has managed 109 shots in 36 appearances across all competitions this season, an average of just over three per game.

Of those 109 shots, 43 have been on target, including four in Frankfurt's last Europa League home fixture against Ferencvaros, a match he also scored in.

With a point to prove and a willing approach when it comes to shooting, Ekitike can trouble the target on at least two occasions against Ajax.

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Eintracht Frankfurt v Ajax odds

Eintracht Frankfurt - 10/11
Draw - 14/5
Ajax - 14/5

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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.