Tottenham have some work to do as we look at the best bets for Wednesday’s UCL semi-final clash.
Tottenham have some work to do as we look at the best bets for Wednesday’s UCL semi-final clash.
Ajax Amsterdam | +125 at William Hill | Place Bet |
Draw | +260 at William Hill | Place Bet |
Tottenham Hotspur | +230 at William Hill | Place Bet |
Wednesday, May 8 – 9pm local time – Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam
Tottenham Hotspur will have their work cut out when they travel to the Netherlands for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie against Ajax Amsterdam.
The crucial encounter will take place on Wednesday evening under the floodlights of the famous Johan Cruiff ArenA.
Spurs will need to register an immediate response should they wish to make it to the Champions League final for the first time in their history, having lost 1-0 at home in the first leg.
The only moment where the ball rattled the back of the net in the encounter came at the quarter-hour mark courtesy of Donny van de Beek.
SEE ALSO: ONLINE SOCCER BETTING GUIDE
Characteristic of their precise and incisive passing in the final third, Ajax took the fight to the hosts as the adventurous Hakim Ziyech delivered an inch-perfect left-footed pass that tore through the Tottenham backline.
By the time the defensive pair of Danny Rose and Jan Vertonghen realised it, Hugo Lloris had already been woefully exposed and van de Beek even had time to stutter in his run before getting a clean yet simple strike past the already committed French goalkeeper.
The injured Harry Kane and the suspended Son Heung-min were sorely missed as Erik ten Hag’s fledglings utterly tormented Spurs at their new stadium; so much so that Ajax could have compounded the hosts’ misery had David Neres found the back of the net rather than hit the inside of the post in the second half.
Despite being a relatively young side, the Eredivisie leaders’ industrious charges exhibited an impressive level of maturity well beyond their years.
There were none more impressive than 19-year-old skipper Matthijs de Ligt, whose leadership and impetus once again came to the fore over the weekend when he guided his side to a masterful 4-0 win over Willem II that saw Ajax clinch the Dutch Cup for the first time since 2010.
Former Manchester United defender Daley Blind broke the deadlock in the 38th minute while veteran forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar doubled the advantage a minute later before completing his brace in the 67th minute.
Rasmus Kristensen added the fourth just for good measure with a quarter of an hour left before final whistle.
Spurs, on the other hand, prepared for their decisive trip to Amsterdam in the worst possible way as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth on Saturday in the English Premier League.
Losing Son Heung-min and Juan Foyth to red cards proved their undoing, as it cost them dearly when Nathan Ake found the winner for the Cherries at the very death of the match.
Kane is still out injured, but Son is set to return to the first 11 after serving a suspension for accumulated yellow cards.
Argentine winger Erik Lamela and defender Serge Aurier are both available for selection having recovered from hamstring injuries.
Ajax have a clean bill of health ahead of Wednesday’s encounter.
Best Bet | Odds | Bet Now |
Son Heung-min to score at anytime | +140 at William Hill | Place Bet |
Son Heung-min to score first | +450 at William Hill | Place Bet |
Son Heung-min has been a shining light for Tottenham this season with 20 goals in all competitions – second only to Harry Kane, who has netted 24 times.
Despite playing well below of his brilliant best in the EPL over the last few weeks, the Korean cannot be overlooked.
He was the driving force that propelled Spurs into the last four of the UCL and, with Kane out, is their best hope of overturning the deficit in the Netherlands.
Tottenham have not been themselves since knocking Manchester City out of the Champions league, as they have since sustained four defeats in their last five games in all competitions.
Ajax have, in stark contrast, been on an imperious run of form across the board, and the fact they eliminated holders Real Madrid and favorites Juventus in the knockout phase – on top of playing on home turf – will be a massive shot in the arm for the fearless Dutch outfit.
Spurs can take on any side on their day, but the well-groomed de Godenzonen stand head and shoulders above the English side.
Prediction: Ajax to Win First Half/Draw Second Half – +550 at Bovada
![]() |
> Review | Bet Now |