Ajax vs Lyon: Preview and Predictions

Ajax vs Lyon
UEFA Europa League Semi Final First Leg
Date: Wednesday, 3rd May 2017
Kick-off at 17:45 UK / 18:45 CET
Venue: Amsterdam Arena.

The home form matters for Ajax as Lyon comes to Amsterdam Arena for the first leg of Europa League 2017 semifinal on Wednesday night.

Ajax are eyeing to make into a UEFA competition’s final for the first time since 1996. They won the UEFA Cup in 1991/92 and Champions League in 1994/95. They are the only team to have made it into all eight editions of the Europa League.

Lyon are making to a European semi-finals for the first time since the 2009/10 UEFA Champions League. They were knocked out by Bayern Munich on that occasion. The Ligue 1 outfit are yet to make it to a major European final.

Ajax have a 100% win record at home in this season’s Europa League. And they kept 5 cleans sheets from the 6 matches played so far.

Lyon entered the Europa League knockout phase after finishing third in their Champions League group. They thrashed Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the first knockout round, 7-1 at home and 4-1 away. The defeated Roma and Besiktas in the subsequent round, but lost the away legs on both occasions.

Ajax vs Lyon: Head-to-head

Ajax and Lyon met on four previous occasions, all during the group phase of the UEFA Champions League. The Dutch team won both home and away legs during the 2002/03 season. While the pair of matches in 2011 ended in 0-0 draws.

Ajax have an overall record of 10 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses from 22 matches against French teams. At home, the 11 matches saw 6 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses.

Lyon’s 12 meetings with Dutch side witnessed 6 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses. In 6 away trips to Netherlands, they bagged 3 wins and 2 draws, losing once.

Ajax vs Lyon: Prediction

Ajax are a tough team to beat while playing in front of their home fans. Six out of six wins and five clean sheets during the period talk for itself. But, they are vulnerable in away trips and this is a strong reason for them to achieve a healthy lead in the first leg. Lyon are not an easy opponent, they have scored in 5 of their 6 European away matches this season. The French might fell short here, but not before getting their name on the score-sheet.