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Preview: Ajax vs Galatasaray – H2H, Best XIs, How to Watch & More

Ajax lock horns with Turkish champions Galatasaray at the Johan Cruyff Arena with three points on the agenda in this mouth-watering Europa League showdown.

Sat in 11th position on the log and a point off eighth-placed Rangers, Ajax are battling to claw their way into one of the automatic qualification slots.

Despite undergoing a renaissance under manager Francesco Farioli, the Dutch giants have not enjoyed smooth sailing in Europe.

They need positive results from their remaining two fixtures to seal a place in the next round.

Meanwhile, Galatasaray have steamrolled opponents to clinch sixth place on the table. All they need to do is hold on for the next two games.  

Undefeated after six games, they are one of the favourites to go all the way.

They have carried on their imperious form from the Super Lig after opening an eight-point gap over Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce. They are yet to taste defeat after 18 games.

Okan Buruk’s side will take some stopping, but they will know that Farioli is an excellent tactician who can mastermind a surprising performance, especially with the home advantage. They must be wary.

This clash of giants is one you cannot afford to miss. Purchase AFC Ajax vs Galatasaray tickets at Seatsnets.com, the premier ticket market, to catch the action live as these two go to war.

Match Preview

Ajax have blown hot and cold in Europe, failing to find consistency. Their campaign began with a 4-0 mullering of Besiktas, with many believing this would set the tone for the rest of the season.

Fans still hold fond memories of that young Ajax side that went to the Europa League final in 2017 before losing to Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.

They would give an arm and a leg to see this equally young Ajax side repeat the feat.

However, a 1-1 draw with Slavia Praha quickly tempered lofty expectations. The home side made Ajax work for that point, but they bounced back well.

Ajax claimed scalps against Qarabag FK and Maccabi Tel Aviv but stuttered again when they lost to Real Sociedad in Spain.

Another loss to high-flying Lazio on matchday 6 plummetted the Amsterdammers down the table, and they need a positive result from this clash.

Galatasaray, on the other hand, have refused to be beaten. They raised their Europa League curtains with a 3-1 thumping of PAOK before staggering against Latvian outfit FK RFS on the second matchday.

Next, they played a pulsating 4-3 game with the ever-dangerous IF Elfsborg before claiming a crucial win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs are one of the best teams in the tournament and were expected to provide a stern test of Gala’s mettle, but they aced the challenge with flying colours.

Nigerian international Victor Osimhen was a handful for the Spurs backline and bagged a brace after ragdolling the Tottenham central defensive pairing of Ben Davies and the error-prone Radu Dragusin.

Ajax will need to make plans to contain the ferocious striker.

The stage is set for a feisty clash between two passionate clubs eager to leave the battlefield with three points.

Galatasaray have the upper hand and will consider themselves favourites, but Ajax are fearless. They are no pushovers and are capable of stunning their hosts, especially at home. Finely poised, this one.

Head to Head

Ajax and Galatasaray are set to face off for the first time in a competitive fixture, making this a historic meeting between two of Europe’s most storied clubs.

Their paths have never crossed on the pitch, but both teams carry rich footballing traditions and possess the pedigree to light up any European night.

This match-up offers a fascinating contrast of styles. Ajax are known for their famed stylish attacking philosophy based on total football.

They are up against Galatasaray, a bullish team that thrives on overpowering opponents.

This is an opportunity for Ajax to reaffirm their pedigree as one of Europe’s most renowned clubs after a disastrous 2023/24 season.

Meanwhile, Galatasaray arrive with their rich legacy. They are one of Turkey’s most successful clubs and the only side from the nation to have won a European trophy – the UEFA Cup/Europa League in 2000.

Their unbeaten streak across competitions suggests a side brimming with confidence, ready to create new memories on the European stage.

Best XIs

Ajax

Ajax stalwart Remko Pasveer has taken the reins between the sticks for most of the season. The 41-year-old is the most experienced head on the team and will be the man to provide calm for a very young rearguard.

The backline will likely include 21-year-old centre-back Youri Baas and teenager Jorrel Hato in the left-back position.

Baas will partner Daniele Rugani, whom Farioli has favoured over the unconvincing Josip Sutalo. Devyne Rensch takes the right-back slot.

Ajax have some experienced heads in the engine room, with veterans Jordan Henderson and Davy Klaassen running the show, anchored by Kenneth Taylor.

Up top, youngster Mika Godts is delivering the goods on the left flank, and the 19-year-old, with seven goals and five assists this term, can wreak havoc against the Gala.

On the right, the technically excellent Steven Berghuis will hope to add to his disappointing numbers this season, with the influential Brian Brobbey leading the line.

(4-3-3): Pasveer; Rensch, Rugani, Baas, Hato; Klaasen, Henderson, Taylor; Berghuis, Brobbey, Godts.

Galatasaray

Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera is still going strong at Galatasaray after 14 years and should be in the starting XI for this clash.

Abdulkerim Bardakci, AS Monaco loanee Ismail Jakobs, Davinson Sanchez, and Kaan Ayhan make up the rest of the Gala defence. They need to do better.

Only six teams have conceded more than the Turkish champions in the tournament, and it has been an Achilles heel.

Gala have been rampant in attack, but the backline is not helping by conceding a lot.

The combative Lucas Toreira will be tasked with screening the backline alongside former Norwich City star Gabriel Sara.

Galatasary usually line up the dangerous trio Baris Alper Yilmaz, Dries Mertens, and Yunus Akgun behind the fearsome Osimhen.

(4-2-3-1): Muslera; Jakobs, Bardakci, Sanchez, Ayhan; Toreira, Sara; Yilmaz, Mertens, Akgun; Osimhen.

Ticket Info

Fans can cheer their favourites live by purchasing tickets from the official channels.

Those looking to book a spot in the stands at a subsidised rate should look no further than Seatsnet.com, which remains the best ticket marketplace for every Champions League fixture.

How to Watch

Live Champions League football is on TV in the UK via TNT Sports and Amazon Prime Video. Amazon Prime Video have the first pick of matches on Tuesday evenings.

TNT Sports has the right to show every other game from the 2024/25 Champions League, including the 2025 UEFA Champions League final.

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