Rigas FS vs Ajax Prediction: Visitors to strengthen pursuit of knockout place

Dutch giants Ajax travel to Latvia on Thursday night (20:00, live on TNT Sports 6) for their Europa League clash with Rigas FS.

The hosts are still looking for their first win of the campaign, while the visitors are pushing to secure an automatic spot in the last 16. Read on for my Rigas FS vs Ajax prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

The hosts will have to make do without the likes of Martins Kigurs, Ismael Diomande and Emerson Deocleciano as they continue to recover from injury.

Adam Markhiyev will be leaving the club to join Aris Limassol next month, but could feature here alongside Janis Ikaunieks, who has scored a team-high seven goals in the Europa League this term - including qualifiers.

As for the visitors, Benjamin Tahirovic and Owen Wijndal will be assessed ahead of kick-off, while Devyne Rensch is expected to miss out here as he's reportedly on the verge of joining Roma.

Jorrel Hato will be suspended for Thursday's clash having picked up three yellow cards, and Davy Klaassen is ineligible to play.

Rigas FS vs Ajax Odds

Ajax are 4/11 favourites to claim all three points, despite winning just three of their last seven road trips across all competitions. The hosts can be backed at 7/1, giving them an implied probability of 12.5%, while the draw is currently priced at 4/1.

Brian Brobbey tops the anytime goalscorer market at 23/20, followed by Ajax teammate Wout Weghorst at 5/4.

Half-time/full-time - Ajax/Ajax @ 1/1

Rigas come into this encounter sitting near the bottom of the Europa League table, and given Ajax' recent away troubles, they look a big price to get something from this game.

The Latvians are capable of springing a surpise on their Dutch counterparts, as they've already recorded draws with Galatasaray and Anderlecht this term in front of their own fans.

With all that considered, I'm still backing Ajax to get the job done on Thursday night, as Rigas haven't played a competitive fixture since losing 2-1 to Maccabi Tel Aviv on matchday six of this competition.

Any rustiness is likely to be punished early doors by Ajax, who have been ahead at the interval in all three of their Europa League triumphs this term and both league victories in 2025.

Ajax total - Over 2.5 goals @ 6/5

As mentioned above, Rigas' rustiness could be punished early by Ajax, so I'm expecting the away side to score a few goals on Thursday.

Despite their recent away troubles, the Dutch side have scored at least twice in five of their last six outings across all competitions.

Given that Rigas could be off the pace slightly due to a lack of competitive action of late, I think Ajax can score at least three goals at Stadions Daugava - something they've managed on 10 occasions this term.

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