Ajax vs. Lyon Preview
Where: Amsterdam ArenA – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
When: Wednesday, May 3, 2017, 2:45 PM ET
Line: Ajax +126 vs. Lyon +181, draw +220; total 3.0 – view all Europa League lines
TV Broadcast: Fox Sports 2
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Betting on Ajax (+126)
There’s no doubt which team will be the fresher and better-rested heading into this semifinal first leg. Ajax haven’t played since losing 1-0 to rivals PSV on April 23, which should have given them ample time to prepare for the visit of Lyon.
Ajax made things much harder for themselves against Schalke in the quarterfinals after they gave up a 2-0 first-leg lead and were taken to extra time. They eventually took care of business, though, as they scored twice in extra time despite going down to 10 men and went through 4-3 on aggregate.
Joel Veltman, who was sent off in that second leg, and Nick Viergever will both be suspended for the first leg, which should see a shakeup in Dutch giants’ defense.
Ajax will nevertheless like their chances at home, where they are undefeated in six Europa League games (five wins, one draw). They have also been outstanding defensively at the Amsterdam ArenA, where they have kept five clean sheets in those six games.
Betting on Lyon (+181)
Lyon needed to sweat out a tense penalty shootout against Besiktas to reach the Europa League semifinals. The French side couldn’t hold a 2-1 first-leg advantage as they lost the second leg, 2-1. Lyon have not been terribly convincing away from home during the Europa League knockout stage. They also lost 2-1 away to Roma in the round of 16.
Lyon will also be sweating the fitness of star striker Alexandre Lacazette. Lacazette missed the team’s 2-1 away win to Angers over the weekend due to a leg injury he suffered in their second leg against Besiktas. Lacazette scored a crucial away goal in that game before going off, and has four goals in five Europa League games this season. He has 30 goals in 39 appearances overall this season.
Lacazette’s absence would obviously be a huge blow to Lyon’s chances of claiming an important away goal. Nabil Fekir will likely lead the line for Lyon if Lacazette misses out. Fekir scored in Lyon’s 2-1 win against Angers.
Writer’s Prediction
Ajax (+126) take a slim advantage into the second leg in France thanks to a 2-1 home win.
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