Europa League: How About a Berlin Bonanza in Amsterdam?

Ajax vs Union Berlin

Bundesliga title chasers Union Berlin are taking a trip to the beautiful city of Amsterdam on Thursday. It’s a little early to see the famous tulips blooming, so their German fans will bring their own colour to the Dutch city as they take on Eredivisie giants Ajax.

Alongside the clash between Barcelona and Manchester United this is one of the two box office draws of the Europa League play-offs between two teams in great form, both on a run of wins and in good shape to qualify for next season’s Champions League. 

But their priorities on Thursday night are the pursuit of silverware and a second way of qualifying for Europe’s top competition as a back-up in the event of a slide off in league form. The latest Europa League 2023 betting odds are pricing Ajax at 15.00 to win the tournament, joint fifth in the rankings while Union Berlin are a longer shot at 55.00.

But while neither club is full of big name players, these are two of the hardest teams to beat and we’re sure to see a battle royal at the Amsterdam Arena.    

Ajax come into the game on the back of a 3-1 home win against Waalwijk, while Union Berlin had a highly impressive 2-1 victory away to top four rivals RB Leipzig. 

Talking Points

Heitinga has Ajax back on track

It’s tight at the top of the Eredivisie table with just six points separating the top five teams and Ajax trailing Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar in third place. But things are looking much brighter at the club since John Heitinga took over as head coach following the sacking of Alfred Schreuder after the team went seven games without a victory.

Heitinga has turned things around quickly and he has had a big hand from club captain Dudan Tadic who has been involved in four goals in his last three appearances.

And the new boss has been impressed by the form of left back Calvin Bassey, who he says could turn out to be the club’s best defender after a rocky start in Amsterdam. Transferred from Glasgow Rangers in the summer, Bassey was sent off on his Ajax debut, but he since put in a run of consistently high quality performances.

Tadic will lead the line for Ajax but there may be an appearance for young striker Brian Brobbey, who climbed off the bench to score in the win over Waalwijk. And there will be a familiar name to Bundesliga fans in midfield, as former Werder Bremen star Davy Klaasen will take his place in the centre.        

Union Berlin’s best season yet

There is no doubt that Union Berlin, in their fourth season since promotion to the Bundesliga, are having their best campaign ever. Head coach Urs Fischer has led them to within a point of league leaders FC Bayern and to take all three points from their match away to RB Leipzig last weekend was a huge result.

Die Eisernen are also through to the quarter-finals of the DFB Pokal Cup and they will have no fear on their trip to Amsterdam on Thursday.

Captain Christopher Trimmel is suspended for the first leg of this game so there should be a start for winter arrival Josip Juranovic in defence. While up front, in-form striker Sheraldo Becker could be joined by USA star Jordan Pefok, who has been on the bench in Union’s last four games.   

History

In the only previous meeting between these two teams, a friendly in 2020, Union fought back from a two goal deficit to draw 2-2 and a repeat of that outcome would suit the Bundesliga side nicely on Thursday. 

This is a clash between two teams which are banging in form. Ajax are unbeaten in 10 games and have won the last four, while Union Berlin are on a six-match winning streak.

The Europa League 2023 highlights at the Amsterdam Arena on Thursday could be pretty tasty.

Betting Tip

Ajax are at SBOTOP  odds of 1.61 to make it through this play-off, while Union Berlin are 2.33 but those odds will switch around if I’m right in backing the Germans.For this tie, the hosts are priced at 1.89, while the draw is 3.16 and Union are at 3.83 to take a lead back Berlin. I suspect it will be a tight game and a 1-1 draw is the lowest priced scoreline at 5.41. 

 

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