- Date: Thursday, February 20, 2025
- Venue: Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam
- Fixture: Ajax vs Union Saint-Gilloise
The stage is set for an exciting Europa League clash as Ajax welcome Union Saint-Gilloise to the Johan Cruijff Arena for the second leg of their Round of 16 tie. The match is scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 2025, with Ajax holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg.
Ajax, a team with a rich European pedigree, will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage. The Johan Cruijff Arena, formerly known as the Amsterdam Arena, has been Ajax’s fortress since 1996. With a capacity of 55,865 for football matches, the stadium’s retractable roof and modern amenities provide an ideal setting for high-stakes European nights.
Ajax’s recent form has been impressive, with three consecutive wins across all competitions. They’ve shown great attacking potency, scoring first in four of their previous five matches. However, their away record in this competition has been mixed, with only one win in their last three Europa League away fixtures.
Union Saint-Gilloise, sitting third in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, face an uphill battle. They’ll need to overturn a two-goal deficit, but their resilience in European competitions is noteworthy. The Belgian side is unbeaten in their last seven home Europa League matches, demonstrating their ability to perform on the continental stage.
Union’s recent form has been strong, particularly at home. They’ve won eight and drawn two of their last ten home matches across all competitions. Their last Europa League home game saw them defeat Nice 2-1 on December 12, 2024.
A key player to watch for Union Saint-Gilloise is Franjo Ivanović, who has been in red-hot form, scoring nine goals in the team’s last six home matches across all competitions. For Ajax, the experience of players like Jordan Henderson and Wout Weghorst could prove crucial in managing the tie.
This match marks the first UEFA competition encounter between these two teams, adding an element of unpredictability to the fixture. Ajax’s historical record against Belgian teams is strong, having lost only two of their last 15 UEFA competition matches against Belgian opposition.
As the teams prepare for this crucial second leg, both sides will be aware that a place in the Europa League last 16 is at stake, promising an intense and closely-fought battle at the Johan Cruijff Arena.
Key Players
Ajax:
- Brian Brobbey: The powerful striker has been a constant threat, providing 3 assists in 7 Europa League matches this season.
- Steven Berghuis: A creative force in midfield, Berghuis’ set-piece delivery could be crucial.
Union Saint-Gilloise:
- Franjo Ivanović: The forward has been in red-hot form, scoring 9 goals in Union’s last 6 home matches across all competitions.
- Cameron Puertas: The midfielder has been a key playmaker, creating chances and dictating the tempo for Union Saint-Gilloise.
Prediction
Given Ajax’s strong home record and their two-goal advantage, we predict a 2-1 victory for the Dutch side, resulting in a 4-1 aggregate win and progression to the round of 16.
