UEFA Champions League: Ajax v Real Madrid Odds and Betting Preview

AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND - Ajax need a draw or a win against European heavyweights Real Madrid if they are to secure qualification to the knock-out stages of the Champions League. Victor Chandler are going 12/5 that the Dutch champions pull off a famous win while William Hill are the same price on the match ending a draw. Real remain clear favourites for victory, however, at a tempting 13/10 with Stan James.

Ajax have enjoyed a solid European campaign so far, winning two of their five fixtures and losing just once (3-0 against Real back in September). Their stuttering rivals for the second Group D qualifying spot - Lyon - face a must-win away tie at Dynamo Zagreb, and Ajax are comfortable 1/14 favourites with Boyle Sports to pip them to the next stages. Lyon also have to contend with an unfavourable goal difference: -3 as opposed to Ajax's +4. 

Madrid, meanwhile, have breezed to the group's top spot, winning all their games and conceding only twice. They have now been cut to 3/1 with almost all firms to win the competition. With one eye on the crunch El Classico meeting with Barcelona at the weekend, Jose Mourinho has opted rest some key names: Christiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, and Marcelo have all been left in Spain.

Given Real's likely line-up and Ajax's position in the group, a draw looks very possible, and Skybet are 6/1 that the game ends 1-1. The same firm are offering a standout 14/1 on 0-0, more than twice the odds of Betfred who are 6/1 on the same scoreline. 1-0 to the away side can be backed at 19/2 with Unibet, while the same score to the hosts is 11/1 at William Hill. Real's fine scoring record makes 2-1 Ajax look more convincing however, on offer at 12/1 with Unibet.

In the double result prices Real/Real is what the bookies fancy, 3/1 at Ladbrokes; Ajax/Ajax is marginally better at 4/1 with the same firm. For some bigger odds Draw/Ajax is 13/2 with Paddy Power and Skybet. Alternatively, upset-hunters can opt for Ajax to stage a comeback - Victor Chandler are 33/1 on Real/Ajax.

The game looks as though it could be cagey, so it's perhaps a surprise to see under 2.5 goals best priced at 6/5 with Victor Chandler. Ladbrokes are 2/1 that the match produces over 3.5 strikes, and punters reckoning on under 1.5 should head to William Hill, who are best price at 10/3.

The absence of Christiano Ronaldo puts Karim Benzema, by no means a certainty to start, top chance in the first goalscorer market at 11/2 with Paddy Power. Fans favourite Gonzalo Higuain is available at the same price with William Hill. Miralem Sulejmani, who has 10 Eredivisie goals already this season, looks too good to miss for the hosts at 19/2 with Unibet.

The match kicks off at 1945 GMT.

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