On Thursday evening, Ajax and Brighton go head-to-head at the Johan Cruyff Arena in gameweek four of Group B in the Europa League.
Ajax form guideThe Dutch giants seem to be on the up after a disastrous start to their campaign all around, as the team from the Netherlands capital has now recorded back-to-back wins over Volendam and Heerenveen, in which they scored a combined total of six goals.
Striker Chuba Akpom has taken his chances in recent games, scoring three times in those two straight victories, while Steven Bergwijn has also scored in both games.
Ajax are bottom of Group B, having taken just two points from their opening three games. Last time out in the competition, the Dutch side suffered a 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.
A 3-3 draw against Marseille in their last home game in the Europa League means that Ajax have now failed to win in their previous four games in the competition on home soil.
Brighton form guideThe Seagulls have been in mixed form of late, as a 1-1 draw at Everton last time out means that Roberto De Zerbi’s team has now won just once in their previous eight competitive matches. The poor run of recent form has left Brighton in seventh place in the Premier League table, four points adrift of the European spots.
The team from the South Coast have been leaky in defence, as they have kept just one clean sheet in their 15 competitive games this season.
Brighton’s debut season in the European game has produced mixed results, as they have won one, drawn one and lost one of their three games in the Europa League. All three of their goals have been goal-filled, with over 2.5 goals scored in each of them.
What am I backing?Ajax are improving, while Brighton have been hard to beat of late. I believe this will be a high-scoring encounter, so the bet I am backing is over 2.5 goals scored.