Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Ajax will be aiming to get their revenge on Brighton for a 2-0 loss in England when the two sides face each other at Johan Cruijff Arena on Thursday afternoon. The Amsterdammers made a slow start to the season, but back-to-back wins over Volendam and Heerenveen surely helped them regain a much-needed confidence. Chuba Akpom is pushing for a rare start after scoring a brace at the weekend, while all Gorter, Rulli, Mannsverk, and van Axel Dongen should miss out with injuries.
The Seagulls, on the other hand, failed to win the previous five Premier League matches and given Ajax’ signs of improvement, home win should be considered. As for the away team, all Welbeck, March, Estupinan, and Enciso have been struggling with injuries of late, while summer signing Ansu Fati should be recalled to the starting XI after coming as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.
Highlighted Player (Steven Berghuis):
Born in Apeldoorn, Netherlands on December 19, 1991, Steven Berghuis is a Dutch winger who plays for Ajax in the Eredivisie. Berghuis played for the likes of Vitesse/AGOVV, WSV Apeldoorn, and Go Ahead Eagles during his youth career before joining Twente in 2009.
The 183-cm-tall footballer continued playing for the Reds at senior level. After ending his loan spell with VVV-Venlo, Steven Berghuis joined AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2012, and three years later signed a deal with the Premier League club Watford. After making no more than nine appearances in the English top flight, Berghuis moved to Feyenoord in August 2016, and he has been playing De club aan de Maas ever since.
His main position is right winger, but he is capable of producing fine displays as both left winger and attacking midfielder as well. He made his Netherlands debut on May 27, 2016 in a 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland.
Highlighted Team (Brighton):
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club were formed in 1901. The Seagulls welcome their opponents at Falmer Stadium and the capacity of Brighton’s home ground is 30,750. The stadium was built in 2008 and it was opened in 2011. The venue is known for commercial purposes as American Express Community Stadium.
Brighton & Hove Albion compete in the Premier League and they play in blue and white stripes. The colour of Brighton’s away kit is green. The club made it to the FA Cup final in 1983, but English giants Manchester United proved to be a big catch for the Red Devils.
Brighton’s main rivals are Crystal Palace and the Seagulls have recorded 35 wins over the Eagles. Frank Stapleton, Martin Chivers, Joe Corrigan, Bobby Zamora, Mark Lawrenson, Bobby Smith, John Crumplin and Frank Worthington are notable footballers who played for Brighton in the past. The Albion is Preston’s yet another nickname.