MX23RW : Friday, February 26 23:46:56| >> :120:32817:32817:
Nov 27, 2019 at 8pm UK at Stade Lille-Metropole
Attendance: 48,612
Lille
0-2
Ajax
FT

Preview: Lille vs. Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews the Champions League clash between Lille and Ajax, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Ajax are embroiled in a fierce battle with Chelsea and Valencia for qualification from Champions League Group H.

The Eredivisie side are level on points with their two rivals in the group, but Lille are cut adrift at the bottom with just one point from their four games.


Match Preview

Ajax's Quincy Promes celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on November 5, 2019© Reuters

Lille's fantastic Ligue 1 campaign of last season, in which they finished second behind dominant force Paris Saint-Germain, feels very much like a distant memory in light of the struggles of this term.

The French side are just 10th in the league this year as the demands of European football take their toll on the team's performances, while the departure of star forward Nicolas Pepe to Arsenal has clearly had a negative effect on the club.

Lille are on a run of poor form at present, with three defeats and no wins in their last four games across all competitions, and just one win from their last 10.

With just one point so far in Group H, it would take a remarkable turnaround even to earn a Europa League qualification spot, given the six-point gap between them and the leading pack.

Ajax, on the other hand, are having a stellar season both domestically and in Europe, and may feel aggrieved not to be top of the group outright.

The reigning Eredivisie champions are top of the league once more, five points clear of nearest challengers AZ Alkmaar.

The Dutch side also top their Champions League group, but are still level on points with Chelsea and Valencia after taking just one point from their two games against the Blues following some controversial VAR decisions that went against them.

With the Premier League side out of the way, however, Erik ten Hag's side may feel confident of claiming maximum points from their remaining two games to secure qualification to the knockout stages, having brushed aside both Lille and Valencia in their meetings with the pair earlier this season.

Lille form: DWLLDL
Ajax form: LWWDWW


Team News

Ajax's David Neres celebrates scoring against Real Madrid in the Champions League on March 5, 2019© Reuters

Lille are without teenage striker Timothy Weah due to a muscle injury that has kept him out of action since the end of August.

However, aside from the 19-year-old, Christophe Galtier has no other fitness concerns to contend with.

Ten Hag is unable to call on a forward of his own in David Neres, with the winger not expected to return from a knee problem until the turn of the year.

Versatile defender Joel Veltman is also likely to be out of action, having just picked up a muscle injury and it is not yet known when he will return.

The rest of the Ajax squad remain healthy and available, however, with several possible options to cover for the two missing men.

Lille possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Djalo, Fonte, Gabriel; Celik, Andre, Soumare, Xeka, Mandava; Ikone, Araujo

Ajax possible starting lineup:
Onana; Mazraoui, Shuurs, Blind, Tagliafico; Van de Beek, Martinez; Labyad, Ziyech, Promes; Tadic


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We say: Lille 1-3 Ajax

Lille are struggling at present while last season's semi-finalists are flying and have lost just one game all season. Expect Ten Hag's team to brush their faltering opponents aside once again, playing some lovely football in the process.


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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Ajax22182272175556
2PSV EindhovenPSV23155354252950
3AZ AlkmaarAZ23137352331946
4Feyenoord23127444222243
5Vitesse23133735241142
6Groningen2311663024639
7FC UtrechtUtrecht2281043628834
8FC Twente239773730734
9Fortuna SittardSittard2394103541-631
10Heerenveen247983235-330
11Heracles2384112435-1128
12PEC Zwolle2451183238-626
13Sparta RotterdamSparta2265113238-623
14RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk2357112235-1322
15VVV-VenloVVV-Venlo2264123656-2022
16Willem II2335152554-2914
17ADO Den HaagADO Den Haag2328132050-3014
18EmmenEmmen2316162053-339

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