Ajax Vs. Union SG: Ajacieden Predictions Will Travel To The Last 16

Davy Klaassen, has just scored his 100th goal for Ajax (photo: x @AjaxNewsZone)

JAKARTA - Armed with a two-goal advantage from the first leg, Ajax will host Union SG at Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday evening February 20 or Friday morning WIB for the second leg of the Europa League playoffs. The winner of this match will face the winner between Eintracht Frankfurt (2022) or Lyon in the round of 16.

After finishing 12th out of 36 teams in the Europa League group stage, Ajax is in a strong position to advance to the last 16 for the first time in four years. They beat Union SG 2-0 in the first leg last week.

The Dutch team had difficulty dealing with the initial pressure from Union SG and was relieved when the hosts' two goals in the first half were disallowed. The tight match turned into Ajax after the break, with goals from 16-year-old Christian Rasmussen and Jorthy Mokio taking them to victory in Brussels.

This victory is urgently needed by Francesco Farioli's team, who previously only won once in 10 knockout matches in Europe. They then continued their positive momentum with a 4-0 win over Heracles in the domestic league last Sunday, which saw them top the Eredivisie standings by a two-point difference.

Ajax has now won five consecutive wins in all competitions, scoring two or more goals in each game. They will try to win three straight wins in Europe for the first time since March 2021 (while winning five consecutive wins).

De Godenzonen (as it is for Ajax) is confident that they can finish the job in the second leg and beat Union SG at home. They have won seven of the last eight home games against Belgian teams in all European competitions, with the only defeat being 1-3 to Anderlecht in December 2009.

On the other hand, Union SG hopes to rise from defeat in the first leg against Mechelen in the Belgian Pro League last Sunday. However, they lost 1-0 and failed to score even though they had nine attempts against goal.

Les Unionistes ( Union SG's nickname) are now in third place in the standings, six points behind Club Brugge in second place and 14 points from leaders Genk. Before facing Anderlecht on Sunday, they will try to keep their hopes in the Europa League.

Union SG coach Sebastien Pocognoli admits that his team "must play perfectly" if they want to reverse two goals behind. Union SG only managed to qualify from one of Europe's last seven matches in the first leg. The defeat on Thursday night will be the third time in a row in the Europa League this season.

Ajax had to face the absence of several key players, including Jordan Henderson (hamstring injury), Wout Weghorst (leg fractures), Branco van den Boomen (back injury), and Youri Regeer ( ankle injury). Kenneth Taylor (sick) and Owen Wijndal (light injury) are still under monitoring.

Davy Klaassen, who has just scored his 100th goal for Ajax, has the chance to appear in midfield with Jorthy Mokio. Mokio, who is only 16 years old, became Ajax's youngest goalscorer in European competition after scoring in the first leg.

Brian Brobbey, who also scored in the last game, is expected to remain the first choice up front. Meanwhile, Christian Rasmussen, Oliver Valaker Edvardsen, Bertrand Traore, and Mika Godts are competing to appear on the wing.

Union SG had to face the absence of Alessio Castro-Montes (struble injury) and Kamiel Van De Perre (hamstring injury). However, Ross Sykes has returned after missing the first leg due to a card penalty.

Sykes and Christianmen can return to the back line with Fedde Leysen. Pocognoli must also choose between keeping Kevin Mac Allister on the right wing or returning Anan Khalaili to the starting XI.

Franjo Ivanovic, Union SG's top scorer this season with 14 goals, and Promise David (12 goals) is predicted to return to the attacking duo. They will be backed by Anouar Ait El Hadj or Mohammed Fuseini.

With a two-goal advantage and a rising performance, Ajax is favored to win in the second leg. Although Union SG will provide fierce resistance, Ajax has the quality and experience to advance to the last 16.

With positive momentum and aggregate advantage, Ajax is predicted to secure tickets to the next round. However, Union SG should not be underestimated, especially with the ability to attack those who can be threatened.

Ajax:Pasveer; Rosa, Rugani, Baas, Hato; Mokio, Klaassen, Fitz-Jim; Traore, Brobbey, Edvardsen

Union SG:Moris; Mac Allister, Marijuana, Leysen; Khalaili, Vanhoutte, Sadiki, Niang; Fuseini, Promise; Ivanovic

Ajax 2-1 Union SG