The second leg of the 2024/25 Europa League Round of 16 between Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany) and Ajax (Netherlands) will take place on March 13 at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt. The score of the first match was 2-1 in favor of Eintracht. Eintracht vs. Ajax: prediction, betting odds, and statistics.
Eintracht
Dino Toppmöller's side achieved a comeback victory with a 2-1 scoreline in the first match. Frankfurt has won six of their last eight Europa League encounters (2 losses). In the return leg, the team only needs to avoid defeat, and they remain unbeaten at home in this tournament edition. Additionally, the Germans have progressed past the Round of 16 in this European competition in two of their last three attempts.
- In 4 of their last 5 Europa League games, Frankfurt has scored at least two goals.
- At home in the Europa League, the club is unbeaten in 10 matches (5 wins, 5 draws).
- Eintracht has not conceded more than one goal in 6 of their last 7 home matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Eintracht (4-4-2)
Kevin Trapp – Arthur Theate, Rasmus Kristensen, Tuta, Nnamdi Collins – Ellyes Skhiri, Hugo Larsson, Ansgar Knauff, Mario Götze – Jean-Matteo Bahoya, Hugo Ekitike.
Defender Robin Koch is injured. His colleague Nnamdi Collins will miss the match due to suspension.
Ajax
The defeat in the first match was the fifth in seven previous Europa League encounters for the Dutch side (2 wins). To advance to the next round, Francesco Farioli's team needs to win the return leg with at least a two-goal margin. Notably, 3 of the club's last 4 Europa League victories were achieved with the required handicap. If Ajax wins by a one-goal margin, extra time will be needed. Additionally, with 20 goals scored, the Dutch are the fifth most prolific team in this tournament edition.
- Ajax has conceded in 6 of their last 7 Europa League matches.
- Away from home, the club has not lost in 6 of their last 8 matches in this European competition (5 wins, 1 draw).
- At least one opponent failed to score in 5 of Ajax's last 7 away games in the Europa League.
Predicted lineup for Ajax (4-3-3)
Remko Pasveer – Josip Sutalo, Jurriën Timber, Jorrel Hato, Anton Goei – Kenneth Taylor, Jorty Mokio, Jordan Henderson – Brian Brobbey, Bertrand Traore, Mika Godts.
Forward Wout Weghorst, midfielders Jurriën Timber, Christian Rasmussen, and goalkeeper Remko Pasveer are injured. Midfielder Jordan Henderson is suspended.
Referee
Irfan Peljto (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Matches – 11 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 45;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.1;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 64%.
Match Prediction: Eintracht vs. Ajax
The Dutch face a very tough task. No team has won at Deutsche Bank Park in the current Europa League campaign. Moreover, Frankfurt is unbeaten at home in 10 consecutive Europa League matches (5 wins, 5 draws). Meanwhile, Ajax's recent results do not inspire confidence among their fans: the club has lost 5 of their last 7 matches in the second-tier European competition. The last time the Dutch defeated an opponent from the top 5 European leagues in an away playoff match in this tournament was in 2021.
Nevertheless, Francesco Farioli's team is unlikely to give up. They need to score, and Ajax regularly finds the net: the club has scored in 7 of their last 9 away Europa League matches. However, they have also failed to keep a clean sheet in 6 matches during this stretch. Frankfurt, who have scored in 10 consecutive home Europa League matches, will find opportunities to trouble their opponents.
My prediction: Eintracht will not lose and Total over 1.5 goals
