Ajax vs Benfica Lisbon Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 12/03/2022, 16:44  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 12/03/2022 at 17:44 in Champions League Prediction

Dutch giants Ajax led twice against Benfica in the first leg of their Round of 16 Champions League clash but it ended in a 2-2 draw. They play host to the Portuguese side in the return leg and will be eyeing a much more clinical performance. The two face off on the back of mixed results; Ajax coming from a win and Benfica a draw. Ajax have been uncharacteristically shaky in their recent matches and in their last two games they’ve won by stoppage time goals after losing two goal leads on both occasions. They’ve lacked their defensive solidity, keeping just one clean sheet in their last five matches but will be glad heading into this game on the back of three straight wins, the most recent 3-2 away to Cambuur. The Dutch side has scored in each of the last five matches, and in four of them two goals or more.

Benfica haven’t had it very smooth coming into this game; they are unbeaten in the last seven matches but the recent five have returned three draws. Most recently, they faced struggling Vizela in their domestic league and they had to play for most of it with a man down, after Adel Taarabt’s seventh minute red card. They came from down to secure a 1-1 draw and will be hoping for a smoother outing in Amsterdam. In four of their last five matches, both teams have scored and they have just one clean sheet in the five. Benfica have scored two or more goals in four of their last five matches but have conceded twice in two of the five. Four of their last five matches have produced over 2.5 goals while away from home, they are unbeaten in the last four, having scored at least two goals in each of them.