Ajax v Juventus: Champions League betting preview & TV details

TV: BT Sport 3, 8pm Wednesday

Jordi Cruyff labelled Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo one of football's "immortals" along with his father Johan this week, but the Dutch legend's former club Ajax could edge closer to etching their own names into the history books by upsetting the Italian giants.

Ronaldo is expected to feature after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the international break but his Juve side could have their work cut out against the impressive Dutch team.

Erik ten Hag's men were sensational in their 4-1 dismantling of holders Real Madrid and the statistics suggest they were on top in the first leg as well, winning the shot count 19-13 and edging possession.

That tie followed an admirable group-stage performance, in which they progressed ahead of Benfica and AEK Athens and held section toppers Bayern Munich home and away.

They are reaping the benefits of keeping together their young contingent for another season, with Barcelona-bound Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt making up a formidable spine and the experienced Dusan Tadic dazzling in the final third.

The former Southampton forward became only the ninth player to receive a ten out of ten rating from L'Equipe after that performance at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He forms the fulcrum of an attack, enhanced by speedy wingers David Neres and Hakim Ziyech, who have already hit 100 Eredivisie goals with five league games still to play.

On course for the domestic double, the Dutch can afford to play with freedom against a Juve side who are not short of vulnerabilities.

The Old Lady are in touching distance of a 35th Scudetto and, despite losing only one Serie A fixture this season, their performances against stronger attacking units have been questionable.

They were fortunate to come away with maximum points in Naples, with Alex Meret's early red card for Napoli changing the complexion of that match in which Max Allegri's side lost the shot count 21-6.

Add to that defeats to Man United, Young Boys and Atletico Madrid in this year's competition and they are clearly beatable.

Moise Kean has impressed for Juve but he could still be too raw for the biggest stage and, although Ronaldo can turn any tie on its head as we saw in the last round, Ajax look value to take a first-leg lead.

Eredivisie standings

Serie A standings

Recommendation
Ajax draw no bet
1pt 16-11 RedZone

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Ajax
Noussair Mazraoui should come back into the team after suspension but Hassane Bande and Carel Eiting are sidelined.

Juventus
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to return but Giorgio Chiellini and Emre Can have not travelled.

Key stat
Ajax have lost only one home match in all competitions this season.

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