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Sion and Ajax begin their quest to clear the final hurdle in the race for a Conference League place as they face off in Thursday's playoff first leg at Tourbillon.
The hosts edged past Noah 4-3 on aggregate in the previous round, while Ajax made relatively light work of Shelbourne.
Read our Sion vs Ajax prediction and make sure to check out today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Sion vs. Ajax key stats
- Sion are on a three-game winning streak and have gone undefeated in their last six outings.
- Ajax are unbeaten in their most recent 11 games dating back to last season.
- Each of the hosts' last seven affairs and seven of the visitors' last eight encounters have yielded three goals or more.
Sion vs. Ajax preview: Dutch giants to take control of the tie
Sion vs Ajax — Tale of the Tape
| Sion | vs | Ajax |
|---|---|---|
| 4th (Swiss Super League) | Position | 5th (Eredivisie) |
| 6 | Points | 4 |
| 8 | Goals For | 4 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 2 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 2nd | Home / Away Rank | 6th |
With a 3-1 first-leg advantage in hand, Ajax fielded a weakened XI for Thursday’s second leg against Shelbourne, which finished 2-2 as the Amsterdam giants conceded an 85th-minute equaliser to Sean Moore.
That ended Michel's perfect start in competitive matches since taking charge, but the Spaniard will not have minded, as his side got the job done and moved closer to a place in Europe’s third-tier competition.
However, Ajax were then held to a 2-2 draw by Heerenveen three days later, a result that left Michel frustrated on his home league managerial debut at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
After scoring first for a fifth consecutive game at the weekend, De Godenzonen again let a lead slip and cannot afford to be complacent if they strike first against Sion.
Thursday’s game sees Ajax return to Switzerland for the first time since beating Young Boys in March 2021, and De Godenzonen have a dominant record against Swiss sides, winning 14 of their 18 previous meetings (D2, L2).
After going a goal and a man down away at Noah in the Conference League third qualifying round, Sion’s European ambitions looked in serious jeopardy, but they rallied to secure a 2-2 draw in unlikely circumstances.
Didier Tholot’s side then won the return leg 2-1 to advance, before emphatically defeating Kerzers 6-1 in the Swiss Cup, making it three straight wins ahead of their next European test.
Ajax represents Sion’s toughest assignment of their Conference League run so far, and the Swiss side will hope to overcome a historical disadvantage, having won just one of their previous eight meetings with Dutch teams (D2, L5).
Thursday’s hosts know that taking a lead into next week’s decider is almost essential if they are to progress, and while their attack has been in form this term, Sion have been porous defensively, keeping just two clean sheets in eight matches.
Sion vs. Ajax form guide & betting tips
| Sion | vs | Ajax |
|---|---|---|
WDWWW |
Form | WWDD |
| 16 | Goals For | 9 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 5 |
DWDW |
Conference League | WWWD |
Whispers predicts: Sion 1-2 Ajax
Despite Mika Godts's recent departure, Ajax boast a much stronger squad and are, unsurprisingly, 13/20 (1.65) favourites to win.
Ajax have led at half time in four of their last five matches, and a repeat here at 11/10 (2.10) looks appealing.
Overall, we predict a 2-1 Ajax win, priced at 15/2 (8.50).
> Ajax to win at 13/20 (1.65) | Likelihood: Probable
> Ajax to win the first half at 11/10 (2.10) | Likelihood: Possible
> 1-2 Correct Score at 15/2 (8.50) | Likelihood: Outsider