This Thursday, at the Johan Cruijff Arena, Ajax's quest for European glory continues against a determined Maccabi Tel Aviv outfit. These two football cultures clash in what should be an entertaining Europa League encounter with plenty of goals – let’s analyse the game now.
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Ajax vs Maccabi Tel Aviv prediction: Dutch delight on the cards
Key stats
- Maccabi Tel Aviv have conceded 6 goals in their opening 3 games.
- Ajax have scored 8 goals in their opening 3 games.
- Ajax won their only home game of the Europa League campaign so far 4-0.
Correct score prediction: Ajax 3-1 Maccabi Tel Aviv
Under the lights of the Johan Cruijff arena, we can see Ajax demolishing the visitors on Thursday. Ajax's fluid football on home turf has been a joy to watch in recent times, and Besiktas found this out first hand with a 4-0 loss! That said, Maccabi Tel Aviv might grab a consolation goal given they’ve scored in two of their three Europa League games.
But ultimately, we believe a 3-1 win is coming up for the hosts.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies favour Ajax
- HOME: 2/5 (1.40) – 71.40%
- DRAW: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.20%
- AWAY: 7/1 (8.00) – 12.50%
Ajax are true giants of this competition, so their 71.40% chance of victory is perfectly logical. Yet, for Maccabi Tel Aviv, as they sit down in 34th place, it’s no great surprise to see just a 12.50% probability of a win for them.
Take a moment to check out our football betting tips page while you’re here for more predictions on Europe’s top competitions!
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Most recent H2Hs: Split decision but ancient history
Time has dulled the memory of these teams' only previous dance – a Champions League double-header from 2004 that saw honours split. Ajax dominated in Amsterdam with a convincing 3-0 victory, before stumbling to a 2-1 reverse in Tel Aviv. But that’s so long ago it hardly factors in here!
Ajax preview: 4th place and set to advance
Ajax would have liked to have three wins under their belt at this point, but two is still decent! They’ve scored an impressive 8 goals so far, too, and we expect this tally to increase on Thursday.
Predicted Lineup: Pasveer (GK); Rensch, Sutalo, Baas, Hato; Klaassen, Henderson, Fitz-Jim; Traore, Weghorst, Godts
Netherlands Eredivisie 11/05/25
L
NEC
3
Ajax
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 27/04/25
D
Sparta Rotterdam
1
Ajax
1
Netherlands Eredivisie 20/04/25
L
FC Utrecht
4
Ajax
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 13/04/25
W
Willem II
1
Ajax
2
Netherlands Eredivisie 06/04/25
W
NAC
1
Ajax
3
Maccabi Tel Aviv preview: 34th from just 36 teams
Maccabi Tel Aviv might have scored 2 goals in their opening 3 matches, but they haven’t got any results. Well, that’s not technically true – they’ve lost three games in a row, if that counts?
Predicted Lineup: Mishpati (GK); Asante, Stojic, Shlomo, Nachmias; Peretz, Kanichowsky, Sissokho; Davida, Addo, Madmon
Israel Premier League 12/05/25
W
Maccabi Netanya
1
Maccabi Tel Aviv
6
Israel Premier League 05/05/25
D
Hapoel Beer Sheva
1
Maccabi Tel Aviv
1
Israel Premier League 26/04/25
W
Hapoel Haifa
1
Maccabi Tel Aviv
3
Israel Premier League 21/04/25
L
Beitar Jerusalem
3
Maccabi Tel Aviv
1
Israel Premier League 14/04/25
D
Maccabi Haifa
1
Maccabi Tel Aviv
1
Player to watch – Mika Godts (Ajax)
Ajax have scored 8 goals in their opening 3 games, as referenced above. From those 8 goals, Mika Godts has been responsible for 25% of them – notching up 2 goals so far and supplying 1 assist.
Subsequently, he is the guy who could cause nightmares for the Israeli visitors.