2023-24 UEFA Europa League: Group Stage – Brighton vs Ajax

Brighton host Ajax at the AMEX Stadium in Group B of 2023-24 UEFA Europa League.

Victory could move Brighton up to second if Marseille lose elsewhere, whilst Ajax can go top with a win if AEK Athens are held at Marseille.

 

Team News

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Solly March is ruled out for Brighton after he suffered a serious knee injury in their domestic defeat at Manchester City.

Danny Welbeck is also set to miss out after he suffered a muscle injury during that game.

Tariq Lamptey (knock), Pervis Estupinan (muscle), Julio Enciso and Jakub Moder (both knee) remain absent.

Ajax could be without Devyne Rensch and Steven Berghuis after they missed their Eredivisie loss at Utrecht with unspecified injuries.

Silvano Vos is available after he served a domestic ban during their Eredivisie defeat at Utrecht.

Ahmetcan Kaplan (knee) is a doubt but Geronimo Rulli (shoulder), Sivert Mannsverk (foot) are unlikely to make the teamsheet.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Brighton host Ajax at AMEX Stadium in a 8pm BST kick-off on Thursday 26 October, live on TNT Sport 2 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Brighton’s first competitive meeting against Ajax in all UEFA competitions
• Ajax are visiting Brighton for the first time in their history.
• Brighton have scored twice in each of their two Europa League appearances (D1, L1).
• Ajax have won just one of their last five away matches against English opposition in all UEFA competitions (W1, D2, L2).
• Three of Brighton’s four Europa League goals have been scored by Joao Pedro.

 

Prediction

With the group finely poised, Brighton must make home advantage count if want to put themselves right into the mix because they could be top if not for their defensive errors, yet March and Welbeck will be huge losses in a sloppy loss at Man City with awful defending.

Ajax meanwhile are a total mess at present with no wins in eight matches which is just shambolic by their standards, yet they are still capable of scoring goals amidst an awful defence akin to Brighton’s defensive form which should make for a fun contest.

Simply put it this way, there surely has to be little chance of a goalless draw given how leaky both defences are, but if Brighton can just tighten up at the back and are clinical up front then they really should edge this givn Ajax’s woes and toxic fan atmopshere with the manager dismissed.

Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Ajax

Result: Brighton 2-0 Ajax