Match Preview
Two European giants, AFC Ajax and SL Benfica, face off in a crucial UEFA Champions League League Stage encounter. However, this match carries a different weight than usual. Both clubs have had a disastrous campaign so far, sitting at the very bottom of the standings without a single point to their name. This match on matchday 5 is less about qualification and more about salvaging pride and avoiding the wooden spoon. With both teams desperate for a positive result, we could be in for a tense and nervy affair.
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Current League Standings
The Champions League table makes for grim reading for supporters of both clubs. Their performances in the competition have been shockingly poor after four matches played:
- AFC Ajax: Currently occupy 36th and last place. They have lost all four matches, scoring just a single goal while conceding a staggering 14.
- SL Benfica: Sit just one place above in 35th. They too have lost all four of their games, scoring two goals and conceding eight.
This is truly a battle at the bottom, with both sides showing no form whatsoever in Europe this season.
| Pos | Team | Pl | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FC Bayern München | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 12 |
| 2 | Arsenal FC | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 12 |
| 3 | FC Internazionale Milano | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 12 |
| 4 | Manchester City FC | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| 5 | Paris Saint-Germain FC | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 9 |
| 6 | Newcastle United FC | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 9 |
| 7 | Real Madrid CF | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 9 |
| 8 | Liverpool FC | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 |
| 9 | Galatasaray SK | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
| 10 | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| 11 | FC Barcelona | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
| 12 | Chelsea FC | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 13 | Sporting Clube de Portugal | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 14 | Borussia Dortmund | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 15 | Atalanta BC | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 7 |
| 16 | Qarabağ Ağdam FK | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| 17 | Club Atlético de Madrid | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 18 | PSV | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 19 | AS Monaco FC | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | -2 | 5 |
| 20 | Paphos FC | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | -3 | 5 |
| 21 | Bayer 04 Leverkusen | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | -4 | 5 |
| 22 | Club Brugge KV | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 4 |
| 23 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -4 | 4 |
| 24 | SSC Napoli | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -5 | 4 |
| 25 | Olympique de Marseille | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| 26 | Juventus FC | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| 27 | Athletic Club | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -5 | 3 |
| 28 | Royale Union Saint-Gilloise | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -8 | 3 |
| 29 | FK Bodø/Glimt | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -3 | 2 |
| 30 | SK Slavia Praha | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -6 | 2 |
| 31 | PAE Olympiakos SFP | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -7 | 2 |
| 32 | Villarreal CF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -4 | 1 |
| 33 | FC København | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -8 | 1 |
| 34 | FK Kairat | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -9 | 1 |
| 35 | Sport Lisboa e Benfica | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -6 | 0 |
| 36 | AFC Ajax | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -13 | 0 |
Head-to-Head Analysis
The historical record between these two teams is incredibly tight and points towards a stalemate. In their last four encounters, the results have been perfectly balanced:
- AFC Ajax Wins: 0
- SL Benfica Wins: 0
- Draws: 2
This history of draws, combined with their current struggles, suggests that separating these two sides is a difficult task. Neither team has been able to establish dominance over the other in recent history.
Our Prediction
Considering the abysmal form of both teams in this season’s Champions League and a head-to-head record that favours stalemates, it’s difficult to back either side with confidence. Both Ajax and Benfica are devoid of momentum and will be primarily focused on not suffering another defeat. This points towards a cautious and low-quality encounter where both teams ultimately cancel each other out. The most logical outcome is for the points to be shared.
Our Betting Tip:
Draw
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