Sporting Lisbon vs Ajax Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 13/09/2021, 12:22  by James | Modified on 13/09/2021 at 13:22 in Champions League Prediction

Ajax make the trip to Portugal for a UEFA Champions League game against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday night. Both clubs enter this UCL campaign as the champions of their domestic leagues. Sporting won their first league title since 2002 when they finished five points ahead of Porto, while Ajax won their second successive championship (and 35th overall) as part of a Dutch double. Ajax, four-time winners of the competition, haven't lifted the trophy since 1995, but they did make the semi-finals in 2019, with a team that featured Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong. Sporting have never won this competition, and last appeared in the group stage in 2017/18. The two clubs have only played each other on two previous occasions, both fixtures taking place in the 1988/89 UEFA Cup first round, with Sporting winning each game. The Portuguese side have started their season unbeaten, with three wins from their opening five fixtures. Their star player, Pote, has followed up his 23-goal haul last season with four strikes in his first three campaign appearances.

Ajax have also made an unbeaten league start, winning three of their opening four fixtures. Erik Ten Hag's team is unbeaten in 14 of their last 15 UCL away matches, an astonishing record that includes results away to Real Madrid and other continental giants. Despite selling so many stars over recent seasons, Ajax maintains a core group of experienced virtuoso players, like Neres, Tadic and Blind. We expect a close game but believe that this experience tips the balance in Ajax's favour. Back the away side draw no bet.