There will be a fascinating second leg in the Europa League playoff round on Thursday, as both Union Berlin and Ajax will be looking for a positive result to advance. Last week’s opening leg means that the outcome could still go either way, as the teams played out a 0-0 draw.
Europa League Preview
There have been few better stories across the top divisions in Europe this season than the success that Union Berlin has enjoyed. The German side remain in an unlikely hunt for the Bundesliga title, but their attention this week will be on reaching the next stage of the Europa League.
Last week, Union played relatively well against Ajax away from home, but there was nothing between the sides as they played out a 0-0 stalemate. Neutrals will be hoping that this return game is a much better watch, as both teams should look to attack the game in order to reach the next stage of the competition.
Union come into this game in solid form in European competition, as they are unbeaten in their previous five matches. Over that period, they have kept five clean sheets, winning on four occasions. The German side has kept more clean sheets than any other team in the Europa League this season. However, they have scored more than once in any of their previous eleven matches across the Europa League or Europa Conference League.
Ajax would have been disappointed with their performance last week, as they managed to make a breakthrough at the Amsterdam Arena against Union. However, Mohammed Kudus once again looks to be a crucial player for the Dutch side, as he has been involved in six goals in seven appearances for Ajax this term.
Union Berlin vs Ajax Head to Head
Last week’s 0-0 draw was the first meeting between the sides in a competitive fixture. Ajax has only won twice in their previous eight matches against German opposition away from home in European competition. However, one of those wins did come on their previous trip, as they beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 last season.
Union Berlin vs Ajax Prediction
This should be another cagey fixture between these two sides. Chances were kept to a minimum in the opening leg, and we once again expect that to be the case on Thursday. However, we could see Ajax edging through by a 1-0 scoreline this week.
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