Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Ajax
Match Time & Date:
25/07/2018
02:30 PM
Prediction: 3-1
Sturm Graz
Despite failing to win the Eredivisie title last term, Ajax managed to book their place in the Champions League qualifiers. The Amsterdammers are on a four-game winless run in the elite competition, but they are seen as favourites to win Wednesday’s football match against Sturm Graz. Ajax chiefs did well to reinforce the squad in the summer transfer window and, no doubt, all eyes will be on former Premier League ace Dusan Tadic, who is likely to pose a big threat for the opposition defenders. The Austrian side, on the other hand, finished the 2017/2018 Austrian Bundesliga campaign in second place in the standings, 13 points behind champions Salzburg. Die Schwoazn are not regarded as good travelers and seeing that the lack of experience in the elite competition could prove to be a problem for the visitors as well, home win should be considered.
Highlighted Player (Joel Veltman):
Joel Veltman is a Dutch footballer who was born in Velsen on 15 January, 1992. Veltman started his youth career at VV Ijmuiden and in 2011 he was spotted by Ajax scouts. In the 2012/2013 Eredivisie campaign he played for the first team and he made seven league appearances for the Amsterdammers back then.
The centre back, who plays as a right back as well made six appearances for Jong Ajax as well, scoring one goal for the team in the Eerste Divisie. Veltman has 8 caps for Netherlands U20 team and he made his debut for the first team in November 2013 against Colombia. He started the match and he played 90 minutes in the goalless draw with the South American side.
Joel Veltman represented the Oranje at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. It has to be noted that the Dutch defender made 34 league appearances for Ajax in the 2015/2016 Eredivisie campaign, scoring one goal in the process. In the 2013/2014 season he won his second Eredivisie trophy with Ajax.
Highlighted Team (Ajax):
Ajax is a Dutch football club that was founded on 18 March, 1900. Ajax are well known for their youth academy, which regarded as one of the best youth football schools in the world. The likes of Johan Cruijff, Edwin van der Sar, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Kluivert, Rafael van der Vaart and Marco van Basten are all products of Ajax’s football academy. The Amsterdammers share a big rivalry with Feyenoord and there have always been fireworks when the two teams face each other in De Klassieker.
During the seventies Feyenoord and Ajax were the only two teams who were capable of winning the domestic trophies, while PSV have been playing an important role in Dutch football in the 21st century. PSV and Ajax are regarded as big rivals as well and the two teams square off against each other in De Topper. Ajax play their home games at Amsterdam ArenA, the stadium that was opened on 14 August, 1996. The Amsterdammers won their fourth European Cup (Champions League) trophy in 1995, beating Milan in the title game in Vienna.
Djurgarden
Hammarby
Varbergs
Varnamo
Hacken
Elfsborg
Norrkoping
Sirius
HIFK
Ilves
Goteborg
Degerfors
