Europa League: Ajax vs Marseille Odds

Europa League Match of the Week

On the first Europa League matchday, Ajax host Marseille in what could be one of the best games of the group stage. Both UEL teams participated in the Champions League last season, and it wouldn’t at all be surprising if either one makes a deep run in the Europa League. Ajax lost a lot of players over the Summer, which will make Marseille think they can grab all three points on the road here. Still, this should be a highly competitive match, and we’ll look closer at the Ajax vs Marseille odds.

Head-to-Head

Ajax and Marseille have played six previous matches in UEFA competitions, but not since 2009. Marseille picked up a 2-1 win in the first leg of the 2008-09 UEFA Cup round of 16, and Ajax managed a 2-1 result in the reverse fixture. However, Marseille scored in extra time to advance to the quarterfinals. Ajax have won four of the six meetings between the sides all time, and this is their first-ever meeting on the Europa League schedule.

Ajax Struggle to Start Season

Former Sparta Rotterdam coach Maurice Steijn’s tenure as Ajax boss has not gotten off to the best start. On Sunday, his son scored the winning goal…against him. FC Twente defeated Ajax 3-1 on Sunday as the Amsterdam side lost for the first time this season. Through four Eredivisie matches, Ajax are just 1-2-1 and are in 12th place in the standings.

Ajax finished in third place in the Eredivisie last season, which means they’re now playing in the Europa League group stage for the first time since 2016-17. In the playoff round, back in August, Ajax managed to defeat Ludogorets 4-2 on aggregate. Mohammed Kudus leads Ajax in the Europa League stats with three goals in just one game. However, he left for West Ham before the transfer deadline, along with Edson Alvarez. Jurrien Timber, Calvin Bassey, Davy Klaassen, and Dusan Tadic were other high-profile departures.

Even with a weakened squad, the Ajax vs Marseille odds price the hosts as +150 favorites for this match. Tadic and Kudus were two of Ajax’s most creative players last season. Brian Brobbey and Steven Bergwijn are the most significant goal threats on the team. However, Ajax have scored just one goal in their previous three matches, in all competitions.

Marcelino Departs Marseille, Longoria Could Follow

Marseille, who finished third in Ligue 1 last season, started in the third round of UEFA Champions League qualifiers. There, they fell 1-0 in the first leg to Panathinaikos. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a double in the second leg to overturn the deficit, but Marseille conceded at the death, and the fixture went into extra time. OM lost in penalties, which meant a berth in the Europa League group stage.

The last time Marseille participated in the UEL was in 2021-22, and they finished in third place in the group stage Europa League standings. Heading into Thursday’s match, there are some internal troubles. After a heated meeting between supporters’ groups and club officials, Marcelino announced he would depart after just seven matches as head coach.

Under Marcelino, Marseille were an unbeaten 2-3-0 in Ligue 1, but his play style was criticized. Marseille dominated possession on Sunday vs. Toulouse but could only manage a scoreless draw. President Pablo Longoria could follow Marcelino out of the exit door. Apparently, Jean Pierre-Papin will coach Marseille for Thursday’s match.

Match Analysis & Odds

With both teams not playing near their best, they’ll both want to secure all three points to build momentum. Marseille are in disarray, without a permanent head coach and internal issues in the club. Talented winger Ismaila Sarr is also injured for Thursday’s match. In any case, the Ajax vs Marseille odds list visitors OM as +170 underdogs. In this pick’em, Ajax pk displays -125 odds, while Marseille pk comes in at -105.

Even though Marseille don’t have a permanent head coach, Ajax’s form is highly concerning. In years past, they’ve been a high-scoring, attacking-minded team. It’s been difficult for them to find the net over the last few matches. Ajax are still +150 favorites for this match in Amsterdam.

With so many variables, this figures to be a difficult match to predict accurately. However, a draw wouldn’t exactly be surprising and one shows +260 odds. Here, over 2.5, 3 goals are priced at -125 odds, but neither team has been consistent offensively this season.

For Europa League betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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