Ajax and Dortmund to serve up a goalfest classic
Ajax meet fellow European giants Borussia Dortmund at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam in the third match of their UEFA Champions League pool, with both teams having taken maximum points thus far from Sporting CP and Beşiktaş. With that in mind, there is little reason for either side to hold back as they look to each claim supremacy in Group C. Read our preview here:
Haller if you hear me
de Godenzonen's grip on the Eredivisie had looked absolute prior to the surprise loss at home to Utrecht just prior to the international break, but 'normal service' was resumed at the weekend with a comfortable 2-0 victory away at Heerenveen. As ever in 2021/2022, Ivorian striker Sébastien Haller was the architect with the opener, and his record is ridiculous this term, especially in continental competition. The former West Ham United player, who switched national allegiances from France to the African powerhouses in 2020, already has five goals in two games, and as good as tomorrow evening's visitors are going forward, they have proven to be very accommodating in defence. He leads from the front, and will dominate aerially against Manuel Akanji if given any quarter. Backed up by a reliable, creative attacking midfield trio, Erik ten Hag has plenty of reasons to be optimistic; the only potential fly in the ointment is their goalkeeping situation - wantaway André Onana, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is suspended, and veteran deputy Maarten Stekelenburg is injured. 37 year old Remko Pasveer will therefore hope he isn't called upon too often to save the day, but he is adept when it comes to facing penalties.
Donyell if you do
Marco Rose's charges made it three wins on the bounce in all competitions, the latest of which came against Mainz, a match which also saw the return to action of elite striker Erling Braut Haaland for the first time in a month - he once again proved the difference maker with a brace. However, it would be remiss to suggest that BVB are solely reliant on him in an attacking sense, despite his phenomenal goalscoring record. Donyell Malen was brought in ostensibly to replace the outgoing Jadon Sancho in the summer, and whilst he, like his predecessor, has yet to really get going in his new surroundings this term, he has a high ceiling in terms of potential. Deployed on the left side of the forward three, the Dutch winger has pace to burn that matches well with both his dribbling and passing ability. His adversary on Tuesday, Noussair Mazraoui, will do well not to underestimate his threat during his own gallops up the pitch. Elsewhere, Nico Schulz will deputise for the injured Raphaël Guerreiro in behind Malen, whilst exciting American offensive midfielder Giovanni Reyna remains a doubt.
Rose in full bloom
The outcome of this encounter won't be costly to either side's chances of progressing, and as both are better in attack than defending their own area, it augurs well for a full-blooded watch for the neutral. betway have odds of 2.20 for over 3.5 goals, which looks nailed on.
