The Matchday 7 clash in the Europa League 2024/25 between RFS (Latvia) and Ajax (Netherlands) will take place on January 23 at the Daugava Stadium in Riga. RFS vs. Ajax: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Marian Barbu (Romania)
Matches – 8 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 25;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.1;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 25%.
Predicted lineups for RFS vs. Ajax
RFS (3-5-2): Devis Epassy – Žiga Lipušček, Herdi Prenga, Roberts Savalnieks – Janis Ikaunieks, Dmitrijs Zelenkovs, Stefan Panić, Adam Marhiev, Haruna Rashid Nji – Lasha Odisharia, Alen Kouadio.
Ajax (4-3-3): Remko Pasveer – Jurriën Timber, Devyne Rensch, Josip Šutalo, Jorrel Hato – Kenneth Taylor, Jordan Henderson, Mika Godts – Bertrand Traoré, Brian Brobbey, Steven Berghuis.
Each team's starting lineup from their previous match in this tournament is listed.
RFS
In the last round, Viktor Moroz's side suffered a 1-2 defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv. As a result, RFS extended their winless streak in regular time in the Europa League to seven matches (2 draws, 5 losses). The team still has only two points and is ranked 34th in the standings. However, the Latvian club still has a chance to reach the playoffs: they need to win both remaining matches and hope for slip-ups from their rivals.
- The team has not lost in regular time in 4 of their last 5 home matches in the Europa League (2 wins, 2 draws).
- Both opponents scored within 90 minutes in 6 of the club's last 8 matches in this European competition.
- At least three goals were scored in regular time in 6 of RFS's last 9 Europa League matches.
Ajax
Francesco Farioli's side lost 1-3 at home to Lazio in the last round. This defeat was Ajax's second consecutive loss in the Europa League, dropping them to 11th in the standings. However, a win will secure the club a place in the playoffs and a chance at a direct berth to the Round of 16. Notably, the Dutch team has been prolific in scoring, netting 14 goals in the group stage, trailing only two teams in this statistic.
Defender Owen Wijndal will not play due to injury. Defender Jorrel Hato is suspended.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 5 of their last 6 away matches in the Europa League (4 wins, 1 draw).
- The team conceded within 90 minutes in 10 of their last 12 away matches in this European competition.
- At least three goals were scored in regular time in 6 of Ajax's last 8 away Europa League matches.
RFS vs. Ajax: Match Prediction
The current level of the Europa League has proven too high for RFS, but as long as they still have a chance to reach the playoffs, they will likely try to seize it. The Latvian club has shown decent attacking play, failing to score in only two matches in the group stage of the Europa League. Additionally, the team scored in 4 of their last 5 home matches in this European competition, totaling 12 goals during this stretch.
Ajax favors an attacking style and focuses heavily on creating chances, even away from home. In their last 14 away Europa League matches, the club left the field without scoring only twice, and in seven instances, the Dutch team breached the opposition's defense at least twice. Meanwhile, in 10 of their last 12 away matches in this tournament, Ajax's defense made mistakes that resulted in conceded goals.
Considering that the Latvian league is currently in the off-season, I am not confident that RFS can achieve a positive result, but the hosts are capable of playing actively upfront. I expect both teams to score in this encounter, so my prediction: Both teams to score – yes
