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Ajax takes on Molde at Amsterdam Arena knowing that only a win can send them in the next round, while the Norwegians are qualified since two rounds ago and only need a draw in order to win the group.
Currently third, two points behind Fenerbahce, Ajax has only one shot to qualify for the next stage – a win today, coupled with Fenerbahce losing at home to Celtic. Obviously it’s a long shot, but the Amsterdam outfit has no choice but to give it their all against Molde and hope for a shock upset in Turkey. One thing that is working in Ajax’s favor is their good form, as the hosts won 4 matches in a row in all competitions, including a 5-2 victory over Hereenveen over the weekend.
Molde finished the domestic league only on the 6th place, but their late season form was title winning material. The visitors were riding a 7 match winning streak in all competitions before falling 0-2 to Fenerbahce at home in their last match, but one can argue that relaxation came to play, as Molde was already qualified and Feder was desperate for three points. With Solskjaer’s return as manager, Molde is looking like a top club right now and early season struggles are long forgotten.
Bet on Ajax Amsterdam vs. Molde in the Europa League with the best odds at 18Bet.
Team news & lineups:
Tete will not be in Ajax’s lineup today, while Sinkgraven and Sanogo are questionable. Molde will have to do without Rindaroy, so no big handicap for either team.
Ajax: Cillessen – Rhijn, Veltman, Riedewald, Dijks – Klaassen, Gudelj, Bazoer – Fischer, Milik, El Ghazi
Molde: Horvath – Linnes, Toivio, Forren, Flo – Singh, Hestad, Hussain – Mostrom, Hoiland Elyounoussi
Ajax is just not solid and trustworthy enough to be rated as a 1.40 favorite against a good, in form team like Molde – and the fact that Ajax needs to win, while Molde does not, it’s just not enough of an argument to warrant a bet on the hosts. Especially when we think that Ajax’s chances to qualify are extremely slim.
Molde will treat this game with full focus, the Norwegian League is over, it`s their last game of the year – they will play relaxed, but will be up for it, motivated to finish first in the group. With Ajax needing to win, they must attack and Molde will almost surely catch them on the break a few times – the visitors are a superb counterattacking team, as we saw in the 3-1 win over Fenerbahce in Turkey. There’s also the fact that Ajax might well find out at some point in the second half that all chance to qualify is lost, as Fenerbahce will likely lead Celtic by than – setting the stage for Molde to benefit and dominate the late stages of the game psychologically.
I can see an upset happening here, so my tip is Molde to cover the 0,75 handicap. Molde can at least get the required draw to win the group, but they can also win this, so I actually consider my tip to be somewhat on the safe side, as it also allows us to get half of stakes back in case Ajax wins by 1 goal. In Norway, the two sides settled for a 1-1 draw. Prediction: Ajax Amsterdam – Molde 1-2.
Pick: Molde (+0,75 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 2.70 @ Unibet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 13.60
Event date: 10 December
