Union Saint-Gilloise vs Ajax Prediction: Brobbey to strike

Ajax missed out on the automatic qualification for the Europa League last 16, but the Dutch giants do get a second bite at the cherry when they travel to King Baudouin Stadium to face Union Saint-Gilloise in the play-off first leg on Thursday (17:45, TNT Sports 5). 

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Union Saint-Gilloise vs Ajax prediction preview, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for this showdown in Brussels. 

Union Saint-Gilloise vs Ajax Odds

Union Saint-Gilloise are the 13/10 favourites to win on Thursday night, while Ajax are 21/10 to leave Brussels with a lead ahead of the second leg in Amsterdam. 

A draw on the night is available at 12/5, while Ajax are 4/1 to be leading at both the half-time and full-time whistles.

Football Odds

Team News

Starting with the hosts, Union will be without their English centre-back Ross Sykes after he was set off in their last Europa League game against Braga. 

Koki Machida is set to return after completing his recent suspension, however, Sofiane Boufal and Alessio Castro-Montes are both doubtful due to injury. 

As for Ajax, Wout Weghorst will miss out after sustaining a toe injury that is set to keep him sidelined for up to six weeks. 

With Chuba Akpom having moved to Lille, Brian Brobbey is set to lead the line for Ajax, while Youri Regeer, Owen Wijndal and Mika Godts miss out due to injuries. 

Ajax to win @ 21/10

Due to their modest 9,400 capacity at Stade Joseph Marien, Union will not have the benefit of playing in the familiar surroundings of their own ground and instead will host Ajax at the much larger King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels for the first leg on Thursday. 

Ajax will look to take advantage of this venue shift and come into this game on the back of positive form, winning all of their last three games against Galatasaray, Feyenoord and Fortuna Sittard. 

Manager Francesco Farioli has his side moving in the right direction and the Eredivisie giants are great value at 2/1 to claim the victory in Brussels ahead of the second leg at Johan Cruijff ArenA.

Brian Brobbey anytime goalscorer @ 11/5

Given the players who moved on in the January window and the injuries at Ajax, Brobbey will be tasked with trying to provide the main attacking threat for the visitors. 

The 23-year-old forward has already scored twice in the Europa League this season, finding the back of the net most recently in the competition in a 5-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv. 

Brobbey has the pace and skill to cause Union problems and the former RB Leipzig attacker is good value in the anytime goalscorer market here. 

Offers

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