Ajax is welcoming Besiktas JK to Johan Cruijff Arena in round 2 of Group C of the UEFA Champions League. Ajax is the best team in the Netherlands, and they are now on a 6-game winning streak, while they haven’t lost in their last 8 games. Besiktas has had a solid start to the season in Turkey, but they lost in round 1 against Borussia Dortmund.
Ajax was brilliant in the attacking end as of late with 22 scored goals in their last 4 games, and their defense was equally good with only 1 conceded goal in their last 6 games. In round 1 of the Champions League, Ajax was playing against Sporting on the road, and they were fantastic with 54% of ball possession, 6 shots on goal, 4 corner kicks, 5 big chances created, and 84% of the correct passes. By the 9th minute, Ajax was leading 0-2, but Besiktas has cut that lead to half in the 33rd minute, just so Ajax would score another goal in the 39th minute. With 2 more scored goals in the second half, Ajax has won this game 1-5. Haller is the leading goalscorer for Ajax with 4 goals in the Champions League, while Antony added 2 assists. Ajax is always dangerous, whoever they play against, and with the offense, they have this season, even more so, but we will see if that will be enough to advance past the group stage, or even further.
Besiktas has won only 1 of their last 4 games, and they are now on a 2-game streak without a win. Besiktas’ defense has been terrible lately, and they have conceded 9 goals in their last 4 games, but I suppose the good news is they have been scoring goals consistently. Besiktas was hosting Borussia Dortmund in their first Champions League game, and they were decent with 58% of ball possession, 3 shots on goal, 4 corner kicks, 2 big chances created, and 88% of the correct passes. As I’ve mentioned, Besiktas’ defense is terrible lately, and that started in this game. Besiktas has conceded 2 goals in the first half, and they ended up losing this game 1-2. Montero is now the only goalscorer for Besiktas in the Champions League. Besiktas has a lot of work to do, especially on the defensive end, but even if they manage to improve it, I just don’t see them advancing past the group stage.
Ajax and Besiktas have never played against each other in the past, but I see goals in this game, a lot of them. Ajax is scoring a ton of goals, and Besiktas is no stranger to scoring a goal every now and then, and for that reason, I will take the over.