Ajax looking awesome as Benfica visit Amsterdam

BT Sport Extra, 8pm Tuesday

Ajax had to come through three qualifying ties to reach the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2014-15 and the Dutch giants seem to be relishing being back in the big time.

A regulation 3-0 home win over AEK Athens on matchday one was followed by an excellent 1-1 draw away to Bayern Munich in which Ajax had seven shots on target to Bayern’s four.

They lost 3-0 at title rivals PSV in the Eredivisie but have taken 22 points from a possible 24, scoring 25 goals and conceding only once.

Benfica’s 1-0 win over Porto at the start of this month gave them an early edge in the Portuguese title race and they defied a 45th-minute red card to Ruben Dias to win 3-2 at AEK last time out.

However, they should be troubled by Ajax’s vibrant attacking unit and a home win looks the best bet.

Recommendation
Ajax
2pts 21-20 Betfair, Betway

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Ajax
Joel Veltman (knee) is sidelined with Carel Eiting and Nicolas Tagliafico doubtful.

Benfica
Ruben Dias is suspended and Filip Krovinovic (knee) is out. Jardel (thigh) is a doubt.

Read every day for no-nonsense previews and expert sports betting tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport