UEFA Europa League: Ajax v Manchester United Odds and Betting Preview

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS: Historically, a tie between European heavywights Ajax and Manchester United would be expected to take place in the latter stages of the Champions League. On Thurday night, though, the Red Devils travel to Amsterdam in the last 32 of the Europa League after last year's finalists failed to make it out of the group stages of Europe's top club competition. The visitors are favourites for the game, at 17/20 with BetVictor (bet £20 to win £17 profit), with the draw at 11/4 with Betinternet and Ajax as long as 7/2 with Sky Bet and Bet 365.

United head into the game in good form after a run of five games in which they have beaten both Arsenal and Liverpool and come from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Wayne Rooney appears back to his best and the return of Paul Scholes from retirement has added some much-needed steel and experience to what looked an incomplete midfield. Ajax, on the other hand, are in disastrous shape of late, and their win over relegation-threatened Brega last time out was their first in as many as six game, of which they have lost four to fall to to sixth place in the Eredivisie.

Nevertheless, it is a hard ask to win away from home in Europe, and the favourite score for the game is a 1-1 draw, available at 13/2 with Coral and Ladbrokes. Next most likely is 1-0 to United, at 15/2 with William Hill, with 2-1 and 2-0 available at 8/1 and 9/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral respectively. The game is 12/1 to finish goalless with Bet 365, who will refund all correct score, HT/FT and scorecast bets in that event as part of their 'Bore Draw' offer, while a 1-0 win for Ajax can be backed at 14/1 with the same firm.

Wayne Rooney has four goals in his last two games and the England striker is favourite to open the scoring on Thursday, available at 9/2 with BetVictor, who are also top price on Javier Hernandez, looking for his first European goals of the season, at 5/1. Danny Welbeck, who scored twice in United's limp Champions League campaign, is 11/2 with BetVictor and Paddy Power, while Dimitar Berbatov, who could make a rare appearance as United focus on their Premier League challenge, can be backed at 6/1 wth Sky Bet and Stan James. Ajax's biggest threat and top-scorer this season is Miralem Sulejmani, priced at 9/1 with Paddy Power, wit h Dmitry Bulykin next in the betting at 10/1 with BetVictor.

United have been slow to hit top gear in recent games and are 2/1 with Ladbrokes to lead at both half-time and full-time and 4/1 with William Hill to win the match after drawing at the break. BetVictor offer 5/1 that both halves are drawn, while Ajax/Ajax and draw/Ajax are 15/2 and 9/1 respectively with Blue Square and 888 Sport.

Bookmakers have made Manchester City favourites for the Europa League this season after they joined their bitter rivals in their European relegation, available at 9/2 with Bet 365, but United are not far behind and are just 6/1 to lift the trophy, also with Bet 365. 

The game kicks off at 18.00 GMT on Thursday and will be live on Channel Five.

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