Ajax vs Benfica Prediction, Lineups, Injuries, and Team News | UEFA Champions League

The Ajax vs Benfica UEFA Champions League encounter is a desperate fight between the two winless teams of the group. Our prediction for Ajax vs Benfica marginally favours the visiting Portuguese side, primarily because of the hosts' catastrophic form in the recent games. Ajax have lost their last four matches across all competitions, conceding a massive 14 goals in four UCL games. They hold the unwanted record for the leakiest defence in the competition.

Under pressure, Benfica also stays pointless but, even without the injured Dodi Lukebakio, is being more creative. This will be a tight, low-scoring game with both sides chasing their first European point, but a slight edge from domestic stability might take Benfica to a narrow victory in Amsterdam. Check the Ajax vs Benfica prediction.

Ajax vs Benfica Match Info

Ajax Team News

Ajax injury problems at the back continue, meanwhile, with left-back Owen Wijndal unlikely to be risked on Tuesday after making only a brief comeback in the previous game. The right flank may also be shuffled, with Anton Gaaei still a doubt after limping off on Saturday. Steven Berghuis and Branco van den Boomen remain sidelined in midfield, as they continue to work their way back from groin and back injuries, respectively.

Up front, Wout Weghorst has now gone four games without a goal, increasing the likelihood that Kasper Dolberg – who recently scored Ajax's solitary effort against Excelsior – will be brought in to lead the line. Check the Ajax vs Benfica predicted lineups.

Ajax Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)

GK: Pasveer

DF: Gaaei, Sutalo, Baas, Alders

MF: Regeer, Taylor; Edvardsen, Gloukh, Godts

FW: Dolberg

Benfica Team News

Manager Jose Mourinho will likely drop the experimental 3-4-3 used against Atletico and revert to his usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Anatoliy Trubin likely to regain his spot in goal for the very important encounter. Georgiy Sudakov should also start again after he was rested last time. Up front, Vangelis Pavlidis again hopes to end his Champions League drought, having scored in back-to-back domestic matches.

On the injury front, Dodi Lukebakio will be out for approximately three months after undergoing successful ankle surgery, as mentioned in the Ajax vs Benfica preview, while Alexander Bah, Bruma, and Manu Silva also continue their recoveries, leaving Mourinho with a mix of fresh legs and familiar faces to choose from.

Benfica Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)

GK: Trubin

DF: Dahl, Otamendi, A Silva, Dedic

MF: Rios, Barreiro; Ausenes, Sudakov, Schjelderup

FW: Pavlidis

Ajax vs Benfica Injuries

Ajax are confirmed to be without key figures Steven Berghuis, who is ruled out with a groin injury, and midfielder Branco van den Boomen, who is continuing his comeback from a back problem. In terms of Benfica news, the big blow is the absence of forward Dodi Lukebakio, due to an ankle/Achilles injury, which hugely diminishes their attacking capabilities. In addition, defenders Alexander Bah (knee/cruciate) and Leandro Santos, along with forward Bruma (achilles tendon), are officially out. Check the Ajax vs Benfica predicted lineups.

Sportsdunia's Ajax vs Benfica Prediction

This Champions League tie is essentially a battle in the group stage, pitting the two teams stuck to the bottom without a point. As mentioned in Ajax vs Benfica preview, both sides are in crisis, especially in European competition, having each lost all four of their matches to this point. Considering Ajax's calamitous defensive fragility and anaemic offence, Benfica does have the slight edge; they are more likely to capitalise on Ajax's mistakes and secure a narrow, hard-fought victory. The recent head-to-head history also suggests a tight, low-scoring contest. Lets have a look at Ajax vs Benfica prediction

Ajax vs Benfica Prediction: Ajax 0-1 Benfica