On Tuesday, we will see the first leg of one of the most unlikely Champions League semifinals we have seen in some time. Neither Ajax or Tottenham Hotspur were expected to get here.
- Date & Time
- April 30th, 2019 3:00pm
- Location
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Media Coverage
- TNT
On Tuesday, we will see the first leg of one of the most unlikely Champions League semifinals we have seen in some time. Neither Ajax or Tottenham Hotspur were expected to get here. Ajax were thought to be a little too young and inexperienced to overcome some of the best teams in the world, while Tottenham Hotspur have had to fight tooth and nail most of the way to get back to the semifinals of Europe’s biggest tournament for the first time in nearly six decades. Only one of these teams can end up playing in the final at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Ajax
Champions League Odds:
Ajax have looked like a team mature behind their years. In hindsight, we should have known this team was special with the way they fought Bayern Munich in the Group Stage, but many chalked that up to the Bundesliga giants struggling. The Dutch side proved they were for real after overcoming a home loss to thrash Real Madrid in the Bernabeu to send the defending champions home in the Round of 16, and they followed that up with a gutty performance in beating Juventus two weeks ago.
Tottenham Hotspur did not seem likely to accomplish much in the Champions League this year. Spurs had one draw and two losses through the first round robin of its group stage, but then they rallied. They picked up a draw on the road against Barcelona in the final match to advance on tiebreakers ahead of Inter Milan, and then they crushed Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16. Spurs were counted out in the quarterfinals, but they overcame an injury to Harry Kane to send Manchester City crashing out of the competition.
Injury Report
There are concerns in Ajax’s back line ahead of the first leg of this semifinal clash. Left back Noussair Mazraoui is slated to miss this match due to an ankle injury, while Nicolas Tagliafico is considered doubtful due to a knee issue. Carel Eiting, Hassane Bande, and Zakaria El Azzouzi are all long-term injuries.
Kane is hoping to make it back in time for the second leg, but that is a lot to ask given the severity of his ankle injury. Serge Aurier and Moussa Sissoko will be sidelined for this match too, while Harry Winks and Erik Lamela are questionable to play.
Ajax Player to Watch
Frenkie de Jong is just 21 years old, but he is one of the most highly coveted players in Europe. The dynamic midfielder is set to join Barcelona for a reported €75 million this summer, and he is proving that he is worth every penny with his Champions League play. He has no goals or assists, but if you take the time to watch Ajax play, you can see how important he is to their success.
Tottenham Hotspur Player to Watch
Son Heung-min has answered the call every time Spurs have asked him to this season. Despite being busier than anyone else due to international duty for both the World Cup and Asian Cup, Son has shined in the Premier League, and he has really stepped up his game during Kane’s injuries. He scored three of Spurs’ four goals against Manchester City.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Ajax Betting Prediction
Ajax will have the rest advantage as the Dutch Eredivisie has postponed this week’s matches to give one of its teams a real shot at winning European glory. I see that playing a factor in an Ajax win, but I think Ajax are just the more talented team too. It’s a shame they will only be together for one more month.
