After victory over Lille two weeks ago, Ajax head to Valencia looking for another Champions League victory. Kick off in the Mestalla on Wednesday is at 8pm.

Ajax got off to a perfect start in Group H two weeks ago when they defeated Lille 3-0 in the Johan Cruijff ArenA to jump straight to the top of the table.

However, on Wednesday they face a tougher test as they travel to Spain for a clash with Valencia, who also got off to a winning start, downing Chelsea 1-0 in London.

Ajax head into the game in good form having won their last two games including the 2-0 victory over Groningen at the weekend. They currently sit top of the Eredivisie on goal difference ahead of PSV.

Valencia, on the other hand, have had an indifferent start to their league campaign and at the start of September, they sacked head coach Marcelino and replaced him with Albert Celades.

Under Celades, Valencia have only won one league game and that was at the weekend, a hard fought 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao. They currently sit ninth in La Liga.

Team News

Erik ten Hag doesn’t have any fresh injury concerns or suspensions heading into the game but he does have some selection headaches.

Noussair Mazraoui started at right-back against Groningen at the weekend and could remain ahead of Sergino Dest. In midfield, Edson Alvarez was rested at the weekend, but could come back into the side, while up front Ten Hag has the choice between Quincy Promes and David Neres.

An in-form Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is also knocking on the door of the starting eleven, but he is likely to start on the bench again.

Possible Ajax line-up: Onana, Mazraoui, Tagliafico, Blind, Veltman, Martinez, Alvarez, Van de Beek, Ziyech, Promes, Tadic

Ex-Ajax and current Netherlands number one, Jasper Cillessen is now with Valencia and should start in goal against his former club.

Left-back Jose Gaya is out of the game with a hamstring injury, while Cristiano Piccini and Carlos Soler are both long-term absentees. Celades is also sweating on the fitness of Kevin Gameiro and Geoffrey Kondogbia, who both missed the win over Athletic Bilbao.

Possible Valencia line-up: Cillessen; Wass, Paulista, Garay, Costa; Cheryshev, Coquelin, Parejo, Guedes; Gomez, Rodrigo

Odds

Valencia 7/5 Draw 13/5 Ajax 9/5

Can Ajax make it two out of two?

This is an intriguing test for Erik ten Hag’s side and if they can get a victory in Spain it would be a major step towards reaching the knockout stages.

Valencia are not in great form but their win over Chelsea will give them some confidence going into this game.

Ajax will need to defend well and take the chances that come their way on the counter attack. Luckily, Ziyech, Tadic and Promes are all in great form and if the front three can click once again, a victory is more than achievable.

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