Two sides searching for their first point in the Champions League campaign will meet at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Tuesday as Ajax welcome Benfica for round five action.
<Both teams unsurprisingly occupy the bottom two spots in the league phase standings, with the Dutch side languishing at the very foot due to an inferior goal difference following heavy defeats to Marseille, Chelsea and Galatasaray and an opening-day loss to Inter Milan.
Benfica, on the other hand, suffered defeats to Qarabag, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen.
Read our Ajax vs Benfica prediction and preview to find out more, and remember to check our other Champions League tips.
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Ajax vs Benfica prediction: The strugglers’ showdown
Key stats:
- Benfica have conceded in 10 of their last 12 away games in the Champions League.
- Ajax have lost six of their last nine games across all competitions (W1, D1).
- The Dutch team have both scored and conceded in five of their last six outings.
- Four of Ajax’s five goals conceded at home in this Champions League campaign have come after the interval.
Correct score prediction: Ajax 1-2 Benfica
This is an encounter between two sides struggling on the continental front, but Ajax’s debacle extends beyond the Champions League.
Amid managerial upheaval, De Joden have lost each of their last three games across the top flight and the UCL under interim boss Fred Grim, while as many defeats have been seen in their most recent four games at home.
This leaves Benfica better poised to claim their first Champions League victory, with Jose Mourinho’s men having won three of their last four outings (D1, L1).
Ajax’s tendency to both score and concede contrasts with Benfica’s away pattern, with only one side or neither finding the net in each of the Eagles’s last seven games on the road, although their defensive vulnerability in the Champions League gives the hosts a chance to score.
Pre-match analysis: Bookies tip visitors as favourites
- HOME: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- DRAW: 29/10 (3.90) – 25.6%
- AWAY: 10/11 (1.91) – 52.4%
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes; subject to change*
Given Ajax’s current struggle, it is hardly surprising that they are seen as underdogs heading into this encounter.
A 27.8% win probability suggests the hosts are, however, capable of springing a surprise, while a 52.4% likelihood of claiming full spoils leaves the Eagles as favourites, considering they have the better momentum.
Our hot tip supporting more goals in the second half offers value at 2.05 odds, considering the bulk of goal-scoring actions have occurred after the interval in both teams’ respective Champions League outings this season.
Most recent head-to-head: Consecutive wins in Amsterdam for the Eagles?
The most recent meeting between the two sides came in the return leg of the 2021-22 Champions League round of 16, with Benfica securing a 1-0 victory in Amsterdam to progress 3-2 on aggregate.
However, Ajax hold the upper hand in the overall record in this fixture with four wins to Benfica’s two, the remaining three ending in stalemates.
UEFA Champions League 15/03/22
Ajax
Benfica
UEFA Champions League 23/02/22
Benfica
Ajax
Ajax preview: Time to drop misfiring Weghorst?
Ajax will once again be without Steven Berghuis and Branco van den Boomen due to a groin and a back problem, respectively.
Meanwhile, Owen Wijndal – despite making a return from injury with a short cameo last time out – and right-back Anton Gaaei are doubtful for Tuesday, with the latter forced off in that encounter.
Wout Weghorst has scored De Jogen’s only goal in the Champions League this season, but the 33-year-old is not immune to being dropped to the bench here, having failed to provide a goal or assist in his last four games.
As a result, it would not be a surprise to see Kasper Dolberg lead the line, having scored Ajax’s consolation in the defeat to SBV Excelsior on Saturday.
Predicted XI: Pasveer (GK), Gaaei, Sutalo, Baas, Alders, Regeer, Taylor, Edvardsen, Gloukh, Godts & Dolberg
Ajax’s last five results:
- 22/11/25: Ajax 1-2 Excelsior (L)
- 09/11/25: Utrecht 2-1 Ajax (L)
- 05/11/25: Ajax 0-3 Galatasaray (L)
- 01/11/25: Ajax 1-1 Heerenveen (D)
- 26/10/25: Twente 2-3 Ajax (W)
Benfica preview: Mourinho set to effect major changes
Mourinho uncharacteristically deployed a 3-4-3 last time out but is likely to revert to his favoured 4-2-3-1 here, after their victory against Atletico Clube de Portugal did not go as comfortably as planned.
It was not until the half-time introduction of Leandro Barreiro, Andreas Schjelderup, Samuel Dahl and Richard Rios – who found the net in the encounter – that Benfica looked assured against the fourth-division side, so we expect the majority, if not all, to start here.
Meanwhile, the visitors will be without Dodi Lukebakio, who is expected to be out for about three months following a successful ankle surgery, while Alexander Bah, Bruma and Manu Silva are also anticipated to remain sidelined.
Predicted XI: Trubin (GK), Dahl, Otamendi, A Silva, Dedic, Rios, Barreiro, Ausenes, Sudakov, Schjelderup & Pavlidis
Benfica’s last five results:
- 21/11/25: Atletico CP 0-2 Benfica (W)
- 09/11/25: Benfica 2-2 Casa Pia (D)
- 05/11/25: Benfica 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen (L)
- 01/11/25: Vitoria Guimaraes 0-3 Benfica (W)
- 29/10/25: Benfica 3-0 Tondela (W)
Player to Watch: Vangelis Pavlidis
Since scoring in the opening-day defeat to Qarabag, Vangelis Pavlidis has drawn a blank in his last three outings in the Champions League.
However, the Greek striker should be optimistic of ending that drought at his favourite ground, having found the net in three of his last four personal away games against Ajax across spells at AZ Alkmaar and Willem II.