Second semi-finals of the Champions League is more uncertain than the first one given result of the 1st leg. Still, Ajax has showed its strength in London and besides winning by 1-0 they were better team on the pitch, and by that are great favourites to reach the final. In the meantime Ajax won the Dutch Cup, while Tottenham lost again in the league but despite defeat it is going to play again in the Champions League next season.
Excellent Ajax doesn’t give up and in the end it could be a really extraordinary football story. It is not impossible that the team win all three winnable titles this season as it already put one in its trophy cabinet. It was not unexpected given they faced Willem II in the final of the Dutch Cup and clearly they were absolute favourites to win at neutral ground in Rotterdam. Ajax resolved everything with two goals scored in quick succession near the end of first half and the result read at the end 4-2. Manager Hag had left on the bench Veltman, Schone and Neres.
Interestingly, players who came off the bench did very well, and Huntelaar has scored two goals and Kristensen one. They are focused now on Champions League where they want to finish the job with Tottenham. They imposed their pace to Tottenham despite being the guests, and had showed once more how compact team they have. Ajax could feel sorry for not winning by higher goal difference, however, they will have chance to do so in this match. They are complete and the same team that played in London will go on the pitch in Amsterdam.
Probable lineups Ajax Amsterdam: Onana – Veltman, de Ligt, Blind, Tagliafico – Schone, F. de Jong – van de Beek – Ziyech, Tadic, Neres
It is a bad end of season for Tottenham, but they can improve that if they manage to fight back Ajax in the 2nd leg. They lost three out of four previous league matches, but they were lucky too as their rivals in the race for the Champions League also played very weakly. That is why Tottenham has practically secured the fourth place despite two defeats in a row and will play in the elite football competition in Europe next season. The Spurs had to abandon the third place but that was the price for above mentioned weak results.
They lost to Bournemouth 1-0 on Saturday after receiving goal in last seconds of the match and after played almost the entire second half with two players fewer. The team didn’t undergo too many changes as the situation before the round was such that they needed points. The Spurs are definitely under less pressure now and will be stronger for forward Son couldn’t play in the 1st leg in London due to suspension. H. Kane is still out of action, Vertonghen is questionable but nevertheless he should be in the team.
Probable lineups Tottenham: Lloris – Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, D. Rose – Sissoko, Wanyama, Eriksen – Dele Alli – L. Moura, Son
Ajax will play at home in the 2nd leg for the first time in the knockout phase, and on top of that it is a favourite to win. It perhaps creates pressure but we don’t believe that Ajay will abandon their recognisable offensive style. Tottenham is aware that without a goal cannot reach the final, and it has better offensive part of the team, which is why we believe that both teams will score.
Pick: both teams to score 1.57 - 57/100
@1XBet