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UCL Quarterfinal Ajax vs Juventus Leg 1 Odds & Picks

John Dillon

by John Dillon in Soccer News

Updated Apr 2, 2020 · 12:12 PM PDT

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus
Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus celebrates after scoring a goal against Manchester United. (Photo by Insidefoto/Imago/Icon Sportswire)
  • Ajax seek another big upset after their Madrid stunner
  • Serie A kings Juventus chase their third final appearance in five years
  • Cristiano Ronaldo could miss out through injury

The comeback kings of this season’s Champions League meet when Ajax host Juventus at the Johann Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam in their quarterfinal first leg on Wednesday, April 10th at 3:00 p.m. EST.

Seeking their third appearance in the final in five seasons and runaway leaders of Italy’s Serie A, Juventus are favored at +120 with the Dutch masters  at +225.

Ajax vs Juventus Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total To Qualify
Ajax -114 +225 O2.5(+104) +340
Juventus -112 +120 U2.5(-120) -440

*Odds taken 04/03/19

But the Turin giants  may have to travel to the Netherlands without their talismanic superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, who is attempting to recover in time from a hamstring injury.

There is huge anticipation following the stirring fight-backs which earned both sides their places in the last eight.

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Ajax’s vibrant young side stunned world football by hammering Real Madrid 4-1 in their own Santiago Bernabeu stadium, recovering from a 2-1 first leg deficit.

It was the biggest ever win by a visiting side in a knockout tie there. It also ended the Spanish aristocrats’ rule after three straight triumphs in the competition.

Ajax vs Juventus Statistical Comparison

Ajax
VS
Juventus
8 Games 8
16 Goals 12
128 Total  attempts 133
54% Possession 58%
2 Penalties 3
34 Corners 46

Ronaldo’s Magical Night of Hat-Trick Heroics

In Turin, Ronaldo enjoyed his most magical night in Italy so far. He scored a hat-trick as Juventus beat Atletico Madrid 3-0 to stage an implausible recovery from a 2-0 setback in the first meeting

After defeats in the final in 2015 and 2017, Juventus are favored at -440 to advance to a semifinal collision with either Tottenham or Manchester City.

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With a points advantage of 18 at the top of the Italian league, they can focus without major distraction on European competition. They last won  the Champions League in 1996.

Serie A Title Number 8 in Sight for Italians

Certainly, an eighth straight title win is secure. So the aim is to take the final step under Massimilanio Allegri’s command by claiming the biggest club prize of all.

Juve’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczezny has kept five clean sheets – the best record in the competition.

In three straight wins  against Genoa, Empoli, and Calgliari since the round of 16, Allegri’s side have not conceded a goal.

This underlines the challenge facing Ajax’s forwards. Juve’s goalkeeper, Wochiech Szczeny has kept five clean sheets in eight Champions League ties this season. It is the best record in the competition.

With typical Italian defensive rigor, they have conceded only six times in Europe and only 19 in 30 matches in Serie A.

Ajax’s Tadic is Leading UCL Goal Scorer

Against this, the Dutch side have the leading overall goalscorer in the Champions League. The impressively rejuvenated Dusan Tadic has struck nine times, including three goals in the qualifying rounds.

After their comeback against Atletico, the more experienced Juventus will be even more assured than usual that they can keep things tight away from home. That may be the option if Ronaldo fails to recover in time.

Cristiano Should Make 2nd Leg if He Misses 1st Game

He should then be back for the second leg. Consequently, this would increase their chances of making the second match the decisive one.

Ajax, bidding for their first semifinal since 1997, will have to make home advantage count emphatically. Their expansive style, close to the Total Football they historically pioneered, promises an attacking approach to the game.

Along with leading scorer Tadic, their 21-year-old midfielder Frenkie De Jong will be called upon to show why Barcelona have already completed a $114 million deal for him to join them next season.

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Smooth Build-Up in Turin Against Milan?

Fourth-placed AC Milan might ordinarily be expected to provide an insightful examination of Juventus’ form at Turin’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday, April 6th. But the visitors have failed to win in three Serie A fixtures.

So Juventus may have an untroubled build-up to the trip to Amsterdam.

Ajax, under their Pep Guardiola look-alike coach Erik Ten Hag, are involved in a tight domestic battle in Holland’s Eredivisie.

Ajax have won only two of their 12 European fixtures against Juventus

They  are second-placed, trailing PSV Eindhoven by two points. But they scored a notable 3-1 home win against the leaders last weekend.

However, they have won only two of their 12 European fixtures against Juventus, and none since 1974. The Italians are unbeaten in their last nine games against the Dutch club, winning five of the last six.

Ajax face a visit to eighth-placed Willem II on Saturday, April 6th after Wednesday’s home match against Emmen on April 3rd. Possibly a slightly more awkward approach than Juventus’ to the April 10th tie – with a  fascinating European night then in prospect.

Pick: Draw (+225)

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