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Ajax will hope to hold onto their first-leg advantage over Shelbourne when they travel to Tolka Park on Thursday for the second leg of their Conference League qualifying tie.
The Dutch side emerged as 3-1 winners on August 6 in the first leg, and unless they suffer a shock collapse against Shelbourne, then they will advance into the competition's final qualifying round.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Shelbourne vs Ajax key stats
- Ajax have scored at least three goals in four of their last six European games.
- Shelbourne have failed to score in five of their past nine European matches at home.
- Ajax have conceded one or fewer goals in each of their last seven competitive fixtures.
- Julian Brandt scored for Ajax on August 9 against PEC Zwolle in his second game for the club.
Shelbourne vs Ajax preview: A comfortable evening in Ireland?
Shelbourne vs Ajax — Tale of the Tape
| SHE | vs | AJA |
|---|---|---|
| 5th (League of Ireland) | Position | 4th (Eredvisie) |
| 34 | Points | 3 |
| 36 | Goals For | 2 |
| 38 | Goals Against | 0 |
| 5 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 9th | Home / Away Rank | =3rd |
Shelbourne were thoroughly outclassed in the first leg, and they were fortunate to score at all given they failed to generate a single big chance from their three shots, and they concerningly failed to produce an attempt at all until the 70th minute.
Manger John Russell will have to oversee his side's third home win in Europe in eight matches if they are to advance, but his side have been beaten in four of their last seven continental clashes at Tolka Park, a stretch in which they drew once.
The League of Ireland may take priority for the hosts, as while they are in fifth place, their points tally of 34 means they are only six points above ninth-placed Drogheda United in the relegation playoff spot.
Shelbourne's only injury concern ahead of the match is Ademipo Odubeko, though the attacker is just dealing with a knock and has not yet been ruled out entirely.
There is no question that Ajax were deserving winners given they created nine big chances and produced 32 shots in the first leg, while they also mustered 67 touches inside the opposition's box.
However, boss Miguel Angel Sanchez may be slightly concerned about the fact his side did not put the tie entirely beyond their hosts, though they still have a sizeable advantage.
The Dutch team began their Eredivisie season on August 9, when they beat PEC Zwolle 2-0, and that was the club's sixth consecutive competitive victory.
Ajax winger Mika Godts has not yet completed a move to Paris Saint-Germain despite consistent speculation linking him with the European champions, and perhaps the visitors are reluctant to lose him until they secure their place in the Conference League league phase.
Shelbourne vs Ajax form guide & betting tips
| SHE | vs | AJA |
|---|---|---|
W
L
L
L
L
|
Form |
W
W
W
W
|
| 8 | Goals For | 13 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 3 |
WLL |
Conference League qualifying | WWW |
Whispers predicts: Shelbourne 0-3 Ajax (Ajax win 6-1 on aggregate)
There is no doubt that Ajax will be seen as the overwhelming favourites, and that is reflected by the bookmakers, who have priced an away win at 1/6 (1.17)
The visitors have scored at least three goals in four of their last six European games, so backing Over 2.5 Goals for Ajax at 8/11 (1.73) looks like a good starting bet.
Shelbourne have failed to score in five of their past nine European matches at home, and that makes Under 0.5 Goals for Shelbourne at 4/5 (1.8) a sensible bet.
Considering Julian Brandt scored against PEC Zwolle in his second game for Ajax, it may be worthwhile to back Julian Brandt to Score at Anytime at 8/5 (2.6).
> Over 2.5 Goals for Ajax at 8/11 (1.73) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 0.5 Goals for Shelbourne at 4/5 (1.8) | Likelihood: Possible
> Julian Brandt to Score at Anytime at 8/5 (2.6) | Likelihood: Possible