Dutch masters to take first-leg lead
Hosts poised to edge in front
As well as goings on in France, where Monaco and Juventus clash in a Champions League semi-final blockbuster, punters also have Ajax – Lyon to enjoy om Wednesday evening, as the pair face-off in the Europa League last-four at 5.45pm.
Every kick is played out live in front of the BT Sport cameras, and Coral backers can bet on a range of markets in the match, including first goal scorer, half-time / full-time and both teams to score. A fantastic evening of quality football, made all the more enjoyable with a winning bet.
Ajax difficult to break down at home
This will be the fourth meeting between Ajax and Lyon in competitive footballing history, and the head-to-head stats, as you may expect, come down strongly in favour of the home win. Peter Bosz’s side have won two and drawn two of the previous four, claiming the spoils home and away in the Champions League back in 2002, before ending level in two meetings in 2011, both 0-0.
That unbeaten run is sure to hold plenty of weight with punters, who will find the home cheer marked up at an appealing 13/10 in the match betting market. The Lancers were beaten in their last outing at this level, going down 3-2 to Schalke away from home, but they appeared to take their foot off the gas, having already recorded a convincing 2-0 win over the same opponents at the Johan Cruijff ArenA the week before.
Followers of the stats will find it useful to know that Ajax have won each of their last four home matches in this competition to nil, and sticking with that trend is sure to give punters a run for their money, with 19/5 available.
Lyon do little to inspire confidence
Lyon warmed up for this clash with a battling 2-1 win over Angers last Friday, a result that has them fourth in Ligue 1. They’ll finish no higher than their current position, despite having a game in hand over the sides around them, but have lost two of their last three, meaning Marseille in sixth are just two points behind.
Bruno Genesio’s troops needed a big slice of luck to get past Besiktas in the quarter-finals of this competition, losing 2-1 on the road in the second-leg to finish 3-3 on aggregate. The resulting tense penalty shoot-out saw The Kids progress courtesy of a 7-6 win from the spot. That effort, and their league form, does little to inspire a punt on the away day here.
Our team of football traders are keen to oppose the visitors on Wednesday, and will meet those who fancy a punt on the bigger price head-on with their 19/10 quote. Lyon’s last two away games in this competition have ended in 2-1 defeats, and backers looking to have a go in another 2-1 loss will find our 8/1 very much to their liking. Small stakes for big rewards.
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