Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to officially book their Europa League quarter-final ticket on Thursday evening, Eintracht Frankfurt will welcome Ajax to Germany.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Starting with the hosts, mounting an eye-catching comeback over in Amsterdam last week as they eventually snatched a 2-1 victory, Eintracht Frankfurt find themselves sat firmly in the driving seat on Thursday evening. However, despite marking their return from Germany’s festive break with a real flurry, Dino Toppmoller’s men have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Making an immediate return to losing ways last weekend as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Union Berlin, the Eagles have now lost three of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Getting March underway with a 4-1 drumming against Bayer Leverkusen, Frankfurt have also suffered back-to-back defeats at Deutsche Bank Park for the first time this season.
Eintracht Frankfurt Team News
Still dealing with a recent thigh injury and missing out over in Amsterdam last week, Frankfurt will once again be without veteran defender Timothy Chandler on Thursday evening. However, after serving a one-match Bundesliga suspension last weekend, former Koln star Ellyes Skhiri could make a full return here.
Continuing to receive a string of plaudits and notching seven goals across all competitions since opening the New Year, ex-PSG starlet Hugo Ekitike will spearhead Frankfurt’s charge in the final third. Handed a full rest last weekend, Belgium international Arthur Theate will return at left-back.
Ajax
As for the visitors, missing out on the chance to claim what would have been a crucial first-leg advantage on home soil last week, Ajax have a real job on their hands when they travel to Frankfurt here. However, although their European dreams might be hanging in the balance on Thursday evening, Francesco Farioli’s men do hold a commanding eight-point buffer at the top of the Eredivisie table, the Dutch giants will take some solace from their recent success on the road. Making an immediate return to winning ways last weekend as they claimed a gritty 1-0 victory away at Zwolle, Ajax have won all of their previous four consecutive consecutive showdowns outside of Amsterdam by an aggregate score of 6-0.
Ajax Team News
Suffering a first-half groin injury in Amsterdam last week, Ajax have already confirmed that veteran goalkeeper Remko Pasveer will not feature on Thursday evening. However, after serving a one-match suspension on home soil, Dutch international Davy Klaassen will return to Farioli’s squad.
Bagging a consolation strike in Amsterdam last week and notching three goals in his previous five appearances across all fronts, Brian Brobbey should keep his spot leading the line. Eventually staying put at the Johan Cruyff Arena following January’s transfer window, Jordan Henderson will start in the middle of the park.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Ajax Key Factors to Consider
- When Eintracht Frankfurt and Ajax met for their first-leg showdown in Amsterdam last week, the Eagles collected a 2-1 victory on foreign soil.
- However, Frankfurt have lost each of their other three appearances across all competitions.
- Frankfurt have lost their last two appearances at Deutsche Bank Park by an aggregate score of 6-2.
- Ajax have won each of their last four straight matchups outside of Amsterdam by an aggregate score of 6-0.
- Seven of Frankfurt’s last nine showdowns at Deutsche Bank Park have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Suffering a Europa League collapse in Amsterdam last week as they eventually fell to that 2-1 loss on home soil, Ajax have a real uphill battle on their hands here. Nevertheless, with the Dutch giants winning all of their previous four straight showdowns away from the Johan Cruyff Arena, they will meet a Frankfurt squad that has continued to show some real inconstancies. Losing their last two Bundesliga showdowns on home soil by an aggregate score of 6-2, Thursday’s hosts have also failed to notch a single clean sheet from any of their previous nine matchups across all fronts.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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