Tottenham vs Ajax: Spurs will take on Ajax in the semifinal of the Champions League. We take a look at the Head to Head, injury updates, prediction and form guide.
Tottenham defeated Manchester City in a dramatic quarterfinal tie to enter the final four of the Champions League.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side registered a narrow 1-0 win in the first leg. However, Manchester City were aggressive from the very first minute at Etihad stadium in the return leg, but a poor defensive performance cost them the tie, even as they won the game 4-3.
Ajax, meanwhile, stunned Juventus after registering a remarkable win over Real Madrid in the round-of-16.
The Dutch side outclassed Juventus in Turin, registering a 2-1 victory in the second leg after holding Allegri’s men to a draw at Amsterdam Arena.
As the two sides take each other on Tuesday night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, we take a look at the match preview.
Tottenham vs Ajax: Head to Head
The two sides have met only twice in their history – in 1981. And Tottenham won on both occasions.
Tottenham and Ajax were drawn against each other in the Cup Winners’ Cup, where the English side thoroughly outclassed Ajax. In the two-legged tie, Tottenham emerged 6-1 aggregate winners.
Tottenham’s campaign in the tournament ended in the semifinals, where they were defeated by the eventual winners, Barcelona.
However, Ajax enjoyed a considerable amount of success in Europe since the loss in comparison to Tottenham. While the Dutch side lifted three major European trophies (including the European Cup in 1994), Tottenham’s last continental trophy-win came in 1984, when they lifted the UEFA Cup.
Tottenham vs Ajax: Injury/Suspension updates:
Right, let’s come back to the present.
Tottenham and Ajax have both been facing injury issues. The English side faced a huge setback earlier this month when Harry Kane suffered a ligament injury. While the player would not be available for the game against Ajax, Pochettino stated that Kane could be available for the Champions League final, should Tottenham reach that far.
Ajax, meanwhile, doesn’t have any immediate first-team concerns. Noussair Mazraoui is the only player who is ruled out for the game.
Tottenham: Serge Aurier (Hamstring), Harry Kane (Ligament), Heung-min Son (Suspension)
Ajax: Hassane Bande (Fibula shaft fractures), Carel Eiting (Knee), Noussair Mazraoui (Ankle)
Tottenham vs Ajax: Form guide
Tottenham faced ups and downs in their Premier League campaign since their win against Manchester City in the quarterfinal. While City stepped up after their poor performance in the second leg to defeat Pochettino’s side in the league clash in the same weekend, Tottenham overcame Brighton to remain at third place.
However, Pochettino faced another setback when West Ham inflicted the first loss for Tottenham in their new stadium last weekend.
Tottenham’s last 5 games –
- vs Huddersfield – W (4-0)
- vs Man City (CL) – L (4-3)
- vs Man City (PL) – L (1-0)
- vs Brighton – W (1-0)
- vs West Ham – L (1-0)
Ajax, meanwhile, were given rest to prepare for the game against Tottenham. The Dutch league cancelled all the league fixtures last weekend to allow Ajax time to gear up for the semifinal clash.
Ajax is currently at the top of their league and is upbeat about the game against Tottenham.
Ajax’s last 5 games
- vs Juventus (CL) – D (1-1)
- vs Excelsior – W (6-2)
- vs Juventus (CL) – W (2-1)
- vs Groningen – W (1-0)
- vs Vitesse – W (4-2)
Tottenham vs Ajax – Match Prediction
On the form, Ajax looks favourites to win the first leg at Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Erik ten Hag’s side has been brilliant in their games, and controlled the entire second half against Juventus at Turin.
Their defensive structure, complimented brilliantly by the midfield comprising of players like Frenkie De Jong, David Neres and Hakim Ziyech could create troubles for Tottenham, who are without Son-heung Min for this game.
The South Korean attacker received a yellow card in the last game against Manchester City and will serve a game’s suspension.
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What next?
Barcelona will take on Liverpool in the other semifinal at Camp Nou on Wednesday night.
