Ajax vs Lazio: Preview and Betting Tips | UEL 2024

The visitors sit top of the League Stage with 13 points from five matches. The Dutch giants are in sixth place in the standings, though their Eredivisie ambitions are hanging by a thread.

Match: Ajax vs Lazio
When: Thursday, 12 December 2024, 22:00 SAST.
Where: Johan Crujff Arena

Ajax Form

Ajax were having a great season up until a recent blip. They put together a 16-match unbeaten run with 13 wins and three draws which included a 2-0 win at Feyenoord and a 3-2 victory at log leaders, PSV. They went into their last Europa League match on the back of a 2-0 home win over PEC Zwolle.

A deserved 2-0 loss away to Real Sociedad with 2.04 xG allowed was followed by a 2-1 win at NEC Nijmegen in the league. A 2-2 draw at home to FC Utrecht saw them produce just 0.68 xG from 61% possession. On Sunday, they lost 2-1 at AZ Alkmaar to fall a full nine points behind PSV in the title race.

Ajax Team News

Coach Francesco Farioli has five injury concerns ahead of this match. Young striker Julian Rijkhoff and centre back Gaston Avila are expected to miss out. Bosnian midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic should be back after sitting out the last two weeks due to a concussion.

Central midfielder Sivert Heggheim Mannsverk has an ankle complaint. Young winger Amourricho van Axel Dongen needs a late fitness test after a knock. Bertrand Traore and Brian Brobbey are pushing for starts in attack after a strong impact as substitutes of late.

Ajax Motivation

Ajax are doing very well in Europe and full attention is on the Europa League with their league challenge faltering.

They will play to win at home to increase their breathing room. They are just two points above 15^th spot.

Lazio Form

Lazio are having a very good season. They went into matchday five of the Europa League on an incredible run of 11 wins in 12 matches with a lone defeat to Juventus. A 2-1 home win over FC Porto preceded a 1-0 win at Monza and 3-0 home victory over Bologna.

Surprisingly, they only drew 0-0 at home versus Ludogorets, despite outshooting them at 20-3. A shock 3-1 loss followed at Parma in the league but they’ve bounced back in style. A deserved 3-1 win in the Coppa Italia followed at home to Napoli with Tijjani Noslin netting a hattrick. Lazio went to Napoli in the league three days later and nicked a 1-0 victory.  

Lazio Team News

Coach Marco Baroni is without Matias Vecino in midfield due to injury. Left back Luca Pellegrini is an injury doubt and so is fellow fullback Nuno Tavares, who went off injured late in the win at Napoli.

Alessio Romagnoli also departed that match early and was replaced by Patric. Pedro and Tijjani Noslin are pushing for starts in the front three if there is some rotation.

Lazio Motivation

The Rome giants will want to avoid defeat in Amsterdam at least. A draw would be a good result.

They’re capable of playing on the front foot or being quite defensive to eke out results.

Key Stats

Ajax have lost just 3 of 25 matches this season (all competitions)

Ajax’s Wout Weghost has 6 goals in his last 13 matches

Ajax’s last 20 matches have seen 57 goals scored

Lazio have won 13 of their last 16 matches

Lazio have won 4 and drawn 1 of their 5 matches in the Europa League this season

Lazio’s Castellanos has scored 8 goals this season

Lazio’s Pedro has scored 6 goals this season (143 mins. per goal)

Verdict: Ajax vs Lazio

This should be a good match with both sides looking to attack. The goalscorer market has plenty of good options.

Best Bet: Both Teams to Score at 1.51
Safe Bet: Lazio win/draw double chance + Over 1.5 goals at 2.05
Anytime Goalscorer Market: Weghorst at 2.80 or Castellanos at 3.00 or Pedro at 3.40