Ajax vs Benfica Predictions and Betting Tips

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Ajax and Benfica renew acquaintances this Tuesday as both sides fight for a spot in the UEFA Champions League quarter finals. Read on for our expert tips and predictions.

Following a 2-2 draw in the first leg, Benfica are still in search of a win against Ajax having failed to cop any in their last seven trials. Said win can't come at a better time as the Portuguese outfit eye a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Highly-anticipated encounter on the cards

Sebastian Haller has been so deadly for Ajax in the Champions League this season, however, the Ivorian forward put the ball in his own net to cancel out Tadic's early opener. It didn't take long for him to rectify his error as Ajax retook the lead via Haller's 11th goal in the Champions League but the home side levelled matters once again, ending the game all square. Although Ajax did lose in the Eredivisie just a couple of days later, they've since responded in kind by stringing together three wins in as many games. It's still tight at the summit of the Eredivisie given that just two points separate them from PSV who are in second place, however, Champions League football is on the agenda for Erik Ten Hag and his troops as they eye a quarterfinals berth for the first time since their dazzling run in the 2018/2019 season.

Roman Yaremchuk's 79th-minute equalizer in the first leg did leave the game perfectly poised, however, Benfica still have it all to do in the Netherlands this Tuesday. Their seven-game unbeaten run does bode well for their prospects and they did well to keep this run intact last weekend given unfavourable circumstances. The Eagles were odds-on favourites to beat Vizela but the odds were quickly tipped the other way as Adel Taarabt saw red just seven minutes into the game. The hosts only had Henrique Araujo to thank, however, with the youngster's 75th-minute strike salvaging a point. How would they fare against a free-scoring Ajax side ?

Ajax vs Benfica Team News

Ajax possible starting XI:

Onana; Mazraoui, Timber, Martinez, Blind; Klaassen, Gravenberch; Antony, Berghuis, Tadic; Haller

Benfica possible starting lineup:

Vlachodimos; Lazaro, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo; Silva, Weigl, Taarabt, Everton; Ramos, Nunez

Ajax vs Benfica Prediction: 3-1

Ajax have been ruthless on home soil this season and although Benfica should give a good account of themselves at the Johan Cruyff Arena, we're backing Erik Ten Hag's crop to come up trumps this Tuesday.