Is the game already over in this duel?
Ajax Amsterdam not only won the first leg 2-0 in Belgium last Thursday, but then also swept away Heracles Almelo 4-0 in the Eredivisie at their own stadium on Sunday, thus capturing the lead in the table. Accordingly, the tip for Ajax Amsterdam against Union St. Gilloise seems to be that the Dutch team will not let anything slip through their fingers against the Belgians, who are not performing well, in the second leg.
Union SG, on the other hand, lost to Mechelen on Sunday and, in third place in the Jupiler Pro League, are already 14 points behind in first place. The Belgians have lost three of their last five competitive games (two wins) and have a lot of preparation to do for the complicated away game at RSC Anderlecht next Sunday. Accordingly, there is little to suggest that Union St. Gilloise will be able to pull off another upset against Ajax Amsterdam.
Overall, Ajax Amsterdam has always had an easy time of it against Belgian teams. They have recorded seven wins from their last eight European home games against opponents from the neighboring country (one defeat). In view of the fact that a possible opening goal from the Godenzonen should be enough to finally pull the plug on the Royale Union, there is a good chance that they will add another victory to their tally.
Ajax Amsterdam – Statistics & current form
After a disappointing fifth place finish in the 2023/24 season and a rather sluggish start to the season under new coach Francesco Farioli, Ajax Amsterdam is now back on track in every respect.
Not only did the Godenzonen take a big step towards the Europa League last 16 last week with a 2-0 away win in Belgium, in which they would not have to hide from either Olympique Lyon or Eintracht Frankfurt, but the white-reds also took the lead in the Eredivisie at the weekend.
The starting position clearly favors Ajax Amsterdam
The confident 4-0 home win against Heracles Almelo marked the fifth consecutive competitive win for the Farioli team, which now has a two-point lead over PSV Eindhoven. What’s more, Ajax also has a pending game in hand, so it could soon be five points.
But before they face Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday, the Godenzonen have to finish their job properly at home in the Johan Cruyff Arena. Thanks to the two-goal lead with which the white-reds go into this home game, betting on the Dutch team to progress in the tie is almost a no-brainer against Union St. Gilloise.
Ajax with good home record against Belgian clubs
In addition, the capital club has won seven of the last eight home games in European competitions against Belgian clubs. The only exception was a 1-3 defeat to RSC Anderlecht, which would not be over yet. Ajax would then still make it into extra time, which makes the starting position extremely comfortable.
In view of the fact that the Godenzonen have won their last two European competitive games in a row and, despite a few absences, also have the necessary quality across the board – in the first leg, for example, the only 16-year-old Jorthy Mokio made his debut and even scored a goal – it could also come to a victory in the second leg.
Predicted Ajax Amsterdam lineup:
Union St. Gilloise – statistics & current form
Last summer, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise were on the verge of winning their first national championship since 1935. As the clear leaders in the regular season, with a seven-point lead over Anderlecht, the Unionistes actually threw away the title in the championship round.
The game between the two clubs is set for this coming Sunday – and it will be a tough one for the visitors, who are currently third in the league and 14 points behind leaders KRC Genk.
How much will Union St. Gilloise invest in the second leg?
The Belgians, who have lost three of their last five competitive games (two wins), are under pressure. Although an away win at the Eredivisie leaders would of course look good for RUSG, the fact is that the Unionistes have only a very small chance of turning the game around.
It is therefore quite possible that coach Sébastien Pocognoli will rest a few key players for the important league fixtures when they play at the Johan Cruyff Arena. At least the squad is large enough that rotation would be possible in principle.
Union St. Gilloise with weak away record
Against this background, the odds are now clearly against the Belgians in the second leg between Ajax Amsterdam and Union St. Gilloise. Betano offers quotes of 3.95 for the away win of the Brussels team and currently also offers an exclusive €20 Betano freebet.
Most recently, Saint-Gilloise also lost 2-1 at Glasgow Rangers on the final matchday of the Europa League group stage. This means that the Unionistes only managed to pick up three out of a possible twelve points away from home. However, they did manage to get one point in the Netherlands, when Twente Enschede were beaten 1-0…
Provisional line-up for Union St. Gilloise:
Ajax Amsterdam – Union St. Gilloise Head to head / H2H record
Head to head: 1 – 0 – 0
The first leg last Thursday was the first and only international competitive match between the two clubs to date. Thanks to the 2-0 away win in the neighboring country, Ajax Amsterdam thus lead the direct comparison against Royale Union St. Gilloise by a comfortable margin.
Ajax Amsterdam – Union St. Gilloise Tip
The fact that the game is already decided in this knockout game is also very clear from the Ajax Amsterdam vs. Union St. Gilloise betting odds. The Bet365 app only offers odds of 1,025 for the Dutch team to reach the last sixteen, where Olympique Lyon and Eintracht Frankfurt could be waiting. No wonder, because after their 2-0 away win, the Godenzonen could theoretically even afford a home defeat with a goal difference.
Although the Belgians could possibly cause some unrest again with an early goal. At the latest, a very likely home goal from the Godenzonen should then finally pull the plug on the RUSG. Our prediction for the game between Ajax Amsterdam and Union St. Gilloise is that the home team will win.
