Brighton & Hove Albion will have a big task to get their Europa League campaign up and running when they face a struggling Ajax side at the Amex.
Roberto De Zerbi, with his ideas on the pitch and the squad assembled during the summer, continues to baffle many with his team’s inconsistencies. Since the wins over Newcastle United and Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion have seen a considerable dip in form, and that has also reflected in their maiden European campaign, where they next face Ajax.
In their two games, they were beaten at home by AEK Athens but did gallantly secure a draw against Marseille last time out. With a single point on board, De Zerbi’s men are bottom of their group and in need of a rapid upturn in form to salvage their fate in this Europa League group stage.
Inside training: our final #UEL prep! 💪 pic.twitter.com/IyULBEKQne
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) October 25, 2023
Incidentally, they did have a late rally against Manchester City at the weekend, but to no avail, as Pep Guardiola’s side held on to their slender lead to see the game through. De Zerbi will hope to capitalise in this Europa League fixture at home against Ajax, with their visitors thoroughly struggling for relevance.
Ajax have seriously regressed since the departure of Erik ten Hag and are already scrambling in the market for a new manager. Their terrible run of form seems to have no end in sight, as Utrecht hammered them at the weekend to send the Eredivisie giants 17th on the table.
The ramifications of that resulted in the sacking of manager Maurice Steijn, with several names linked with the vacant position now. His assistant, Hedwiges Maduro, will take charge of the team for the time being. But there are serious doubts about whether he could bring about some much-needed change.
Ajax are also struggling for relevance in the Europa League, having managed to collect only two points from their opening games. They, too, need a good result to boost their confidence, and whether they could take advantage of Brighton’s dismal form remains the question as two out-of-form teams clash at the Amex.
Team News & Tactics
Brighton & Hove Albion
Roberto De Zerbi ruled both Solly March and Danny Welbeck for a considerable period after suffering injuries against Manchester City at the weekend. They join Julio Enciso, Tariq Lamptey, Jakub Moder and Pervis Estupinan on the sidelines.
The #UEL balls are back out. 👀🙌 pic.twitter.com/oqMgRxLa1m
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) October 25, 2023
With many of his left-back options absent through injury, De Zerbi would have to experiment with his existing option. If he seeks a left-footed player, then centre-back Igor could slot in, or the Italian must rely on Joel Veltman or James Milner.
With Welbeck also absent, De Zerbi would likely integrate Evan Ferguson into the attack. Ansu Fati, with his goal at the weekend, also put himself in a position to get selected for this midweek clash. He could replace Joao Pedro in that attacking midfield slot, while Simon Adingra and Kaoru Mitoma will occupy the wide spots in that front three.
In midfield, De Zerbi has the option of bringing one of Mahmoud Dahoud or Billy Gilmour to replace Carlos Baleba, with the latter looking like the most obvious choice. Pascal Gross will continue with his presence in the middle.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Igor; Gross, Gilmour; Adingra, Fati, Mitoma; Ferguson
Ajax
Ajax may not have too many confirmed absentees, but there are a few considerable names highly doubtful to turn up fit for the trip to England. Devyne Rensch missed the weekend clash due to an injury, while Steven Berghuis was only fit enough for the bench.
London Gatwick, England. 🛬#UEL #bhaaja pic.twitter.com/6AhLkF3hMB
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) October 25, 2023
The duo will be assessed before making a call on their presence in the matchday squad. Others like Geronimo Rulli, Sivert Mannsverk and Ahmetcan Kaplan are all potentially absent for this trip.
Their stand-in manager will likely name an unchanged squad to keep continuity further. That would include Kristian Hlynsson in that midfield three after his brace at the weekend, as well as Steven Bergwijn in the front three.
For now, Ajax will continue to keep faith in their otherwise terrible backline this season. Josip Sutalo and Jorrel Hato are primed to keep their centre-back partnership, while Anton Gaaei and Borna Sosa are likely to play in those full-back roles.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Gorter; Gaaei, Sutalo, Hato, Sosa; Hlynsson, Tahirovic, Taylor; Frobs, Brobbey, Bergwijn
Key Stats
- Brighton & Hove Albion are without a win in their last five matches in all competitions.
- Brighton & Hove Albion have scored in each of their last 13 home games in all competitions.
- Ajax have won only one of their last seven meetings with English clubs in Europe.
- Ajax are unbeaten in their last 11 Europa League group-stage games.
- Ajax are 17th on the Eredivisie table after their latest result in the league.
Player to Watch
Kaoru Mitoma
Some magic from Mitoma against one of the world's best… 💫 @Kaoru_Mitoma 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/P5VxreqXLm
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) October 23, 2023
The Japanese winger had a good run of form and collected back-to-back club Player of the Month awards. Yet, he has had an inconsistent start to the campaign, and that circles around everyone else as well. Despite the constant chopping and changing in other areas, Roberto De Zerbi has stuck with Mitoma to give his team something different in the attacking third.
With the pressure mounting on Brighton to truly kick start their Europa League campaign, Mitoma should relish this opportunity and make his team tick. Against Ajax, the winger has a glorious chance to make something happen and allow the Seagulls to taste their first-ever European victory.
Prediction
Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 Ajax
The Dutch giants have been abysmal this season, and there is no reason to suspect they will have an upturn in their form. Yet, they have been scoring plenty, and Brighton have been conceding a lot of goals. This match-up makes up for an exciting game at the Amex, with the promise of attacking football.
Brighton may have the upper hand with their mentality at this stage and may look to seal three points against Ajax. The Seagulls do look like slight favourites heading into this game, but Ajax could give them a good fight.
