Benfica vs Ajax Predictions and Betting Tips

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Benfica and Ajax go toe-to-toe in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg at the Estadio da Luz this Wednesday.

A win for Ajax in the first leg and a stalemate in the second leg was the case when both sides were drawn in the same group of the UEFA Champions League 2018/2019 Group stage.

Ajax keen on continuing scintillating UCL run

Benfica failed to make it three wins on the spin when they visited Boavista in the Primera Liga last weekend. It all started well for Nelson Verissomo's troops as they went into the halftime break two goals ahead, however, a capitulating performance in the second half saw them ship two goals forcing a share of the spoils. Former boss Jorge Jesus led the Portuguese outfit to the knockout rounds, pipping Koeman's Barcelona to the second spot in what was a highly-enthralling tussle in the group stages. However, they do have lots of work to do if they're to make it to the quarterfinals for the first time in the 2015/2016 campaign.

Ajax, on the flip side, didn't put a foot wrong in the group stage as we saw Erik Ten Hag's crop stroll past the opposition. The Dutch outfit, alongside Liverpool and Bayern Munich, were the only three sides to win all of their group games- elite company for the defending Dutch league champions. Ajax leads the way in the Dutch league with 57 points from 23 games. Jurrien Timber netted a late winner against Willem II last weekend and in the same vein, stretched Ajax's winning run in all competitions to 10 games. Would we see them manage their 11th consecutive victory this Wednesday ?

Benfica vs Ajax Team News

Benfica possible starting XI:

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

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Pasveer; Mazraoui, Schuurs, Martinez, Blind; Alvarez, Klaassen; Antony, Berghuis, Tadic; Haller

Benfica vs Ajax Prediction: 1-3

All roads lead toward a first leg advantage for Erik Ten Hag's free-scoring troops against a Benfica side who are still in early days under their new boss.