Will RUSG remain unbeaten in exile in Brussels?
Belgian-Dutch duels in European competition usually have a special appeal. Considering that Ajax Amsterdam could have made their way to Istanbul, Porto or Thessaloniki under different circumstances in the Europa League playoffs, the three-hour bus ride to Brussels can even be seen as a home game. However, only for geographical reasons, because the hosts from Saint Gilloise have presented themselves as extremely strong at home in the league phase. It therefore takes a certain affinity for risk to place a bet on the more illustrious name before Royale Union SG’s first leg against Ajax Amsterdam.
At least the current form plays into the hands of the guests from the Dutch capital. Thanks to six wins in a row, the “Godenzonen” have drawn level on points with leaders PSV Eindhoven. The first championship in the Eredivisie since 2022 seems possible. Before that, however, the focus is on the playoff match in the second most important club competition in Europe, where the white-reds have not always covered themselves in glory on the road recently.
Furthermore, a Royale Union SG vs. Ajax Amsterdam prediction of an away win does not necessarily have to come true in the first 90 of a total of at least 180 minutes on Thursday for the team to reach the last 16 next week.
It may even be advisable to consider the odds in favor of a draw before the first duel between Royale Union SG and Ajax Amsterdam. If, instead, you think the host will win, you will find 2.30 in the Oddset app.
Royale Union SG – Statistics & current form
In 1959, Royale Union SG last won a first leg in the knockout phase of the European Cup. Since then, the Belgians have tried another ten times, but remained winless with four draws and six defeats. To end this long dry spell, which the players will certainly not have on their minds, coach Sebastien Pocognoli’s team should build on the really good performances of recent months.
RUSG is difficult to beat – only six defeats in the league and EL
Since the end of October 2024, the blue-and-yellows have lost only two of the 21 competitive games they have played. 14 wins and five draws in this period round off the remarkable record. Also interesting: both defeats mentioned were away from home – to Glasgow Rangers in the Europa League and to Royal Antwerp in the Belgian Cup. At home, however, the Belgians conceded their last clean sheet almost four months ago on October 24. The odds on the double chance 1X between Royale Union SG and Ajax Amsterdam are therefore of interest.
The fact that the team currently in third place in the Belgian top flight has not lost any of its four home games in the Europa League speaks in favor of this. They beat Sporting Braga and OGC Nice 2-1 each time, while drawing 1-1 at home to AS Roma and 0-0 at home to Bodö/Glimt. Generally speaking, the EL league games of the blue-yellows did not offer much of a spectacle. Just 16 goals were scored in eight matches. No other playoff team had fewer goals than RUSG.
Predicted Royale Union SG lineup:
Ajax Amsterdam – Statistics & current form
Just a few weeks ago, not even the most optimistic of fans would have expected Ajax Amsterdam to be in the running for the title in the Netherlands. However, after 22 of 34 matchdays, the record champions have caught up in terms of points and even have a catch-up game in their hands. It can therefore be rightly said that AFC Ajax is by far the strongest team in the Eredivisie in terms of form. Six wins in a row and 14 wins from the last 17 league games impressively underline this thesis.
Ajax are slowly running out of attackers
In the Europa League, on the other hand, the team of Italian head coach Francesco Farioli has not always been able to convince. Although the overall record of four wins, one draw and three defeats is respectable, they could definitely have done better away from home. The “Sons of God”, for example, lost 1-0 to the underdogs in Riga and 2-0 in San Sebastián. They also failed to score against Slavia Prague (1-1). The only team they beat by the full margin were the overawed hosts from Azerbaijan, Qarabag FK. Eleven of their 16 goals in the group stage were scored at home.
Since Farioli is also known as a coach who emphasizes a strong and stable defense, it is not expected that there will be many goals in Brussels on Thursday evening. Given that the Dutch team is traveling to Belgium knowing that they have a home game coming up next week, the visitors will also refrain from taking any risks in attack.
To make matters worse, Weghorst, an important attacker, was injured at the weekend and will be out for a few weeks. Brian Brobbey is now the only center forward available. This also supports my Royale Union SG vs. Ajax Amsterdam prediction of rather few goals in the game. If a maximum of one goal is scored in the first 45 minutes, you get 1.53 as the highest odds in the Interwetten app.
Predicted line-up for Ajax Amsterdam:
Royale Union SG – Ajax Amsterdam head-to-head comparison/H2H record
This will be the first time the clubs have faced each other in an official competitive game. For Royale Union Saint Gilloise, it is only their second match against a Dutch representative. In the first duel, there was a narrow 1-0 away win in Twente on matchday five of the EL league phase. Ajax, meanwhile, have not lost in Belgium in five European away games. The last defeat came in 2003 – in Bruges. However, the head-to-head has little influence on Thursday’s Royale Union SG vs. Ajax Amsterdam betting odds.
Royale Union SG – Ajax Amsterdam Tip
At the King Baudouin Stadium, where Royale Union Saint Gilloise has to play their international home games because their own stadium does not meet UEFA requirements, there will be an exciting encounter on Thursday evening at 6:45 pm. The bookmakers see better chances for the guests from Amsterdam when it comes to getting a ticket for the last sixteen. However, the first leg in Brussels seems completely open. After all, RUSG have not lost a single Europa League home game in the league phase. Since October 24, the blue and yellows have been unbeaten at home in all competitions.
Because the hosts are generally difficult to beat and have only lost two competitive games in the past four months, I tend to tip 1X & Under 3.5 between Royale Union SG and Ajax Amsterdam. A respectable 2.05 is offered for this at Oddset.
