Our prediction for this Europa League match:
A spot in the Conference League knockout stages will be at stake when Ajax and AEK Athens take on each other at Johan Cruijff Arena on Thursday evening. The Amsterdammers have been showing signs of improvement of late, with the team winning each of their last four league matches and they must be high on confidence ahead of the visit of AEK. Even though important first-team regular Steven Berghuis misses out through suspension, home win should be considered as Ajax have been in a fine form in December.
The Yellow-Blacks, on the other hand, are one point away from booking their place in the Conference League last 32, but given their difficulties on the road, we are tempted to put our money on the home side. Mijat Gacinovic is banned for the visiting side after the Serbia midfielder was sent off in a 1-0 loss to Brighton.
Highlighted Player (Steven Bergwijn):
Steven Bergwin is a product of ASC Waterwijk football school, but in 2009 he was spotted by Ajax scouts. In 2011 he moved to PSG and he continued playing for the club’s reserve team at senior level. He made his debut with the senior team on May 20, 2015 in a 2-0 win over Heracles.
Over the years the Dutch footballer born in Amsterdam on October 8, 1997, has established himself as a first-team regular at PSV, earning a call-up for the national team as well. Steven Bergwijn made his Netherlands debut on October 12, 2018 in a 3-0 win over Germany. His main position is left winger, but he is used as both right winger and centre-forward as well.
His preferred foot is right and it has to be noted that his parents are of Suriname descent, he has a dual citizenship. Bergwijn scored 14 goals in 33 appearances for PSV in the 2018/2019 Eredivisie season.
Highlighted Team (AEK Athens):
Established in 1924, AEK Athens are one of a number of Greek clubs based in Athens. The Enosis (Union) are well known for their passionate fans and Original 21 are considered the club’s main supporters’ group. AEK Athens play their home games in black shirts with yellow stripes and black shorts, while they often wear gray jerseys and yellow shorts when facing their rivals on the road.
Olympic Stadium in Athens is the club’s home ground and the venue can hold up to 69.618 people. AEK share rivalries with fellow capital clubs Panathinaikos and Olympiakos and the rivalry with Olympiakos was inflamed in 1996, when AEK former ace and then-coach joined the Thrylos. AEK have 12 Greek Super League trophies, but it has to be noted that they clinched their last domestic title back in 1994.
Speaking of the Greek Cup, the Enosis won their 15th trophy in the competition in 2016, with the team beating Olympiakos in the title game. In the 1966/1967 season AEK made it to the UEFA Cup semis, but Italian giants Juventus proved to be a big catch for the Greek side.