Preview: Ajax vs. Young Boys - prediction, team news, lineups

Ajax and Young Boys square off in the Europa League on Thursday night looking to edge closer to a place in the quarter-finals.

While the Dutch giants got the better of Lille in the last 32, Young Boys surprisingly edged out German outfit Bayer Leverkusen.

Match preview

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With a six-point lead in the Eredivisie and having already reached the KNVB-Beker final, Erik ten Hag will be delighted with how Ajax are performing on the domestic scene.

However, still less than two years since their fairytale run in the Champions League, there is a demand to win another European trophy.

Although they were naturally disappointed to drop into this competition, a last-16 tie with Young Boys represents the ideal chance to move closer to a second final in four years.

Sebastien Haller remains a big miss for the Dutch outfit, but they showed in the previous round against Lille that they have enough quality to go deep in this tournament.

Ajax are currently on a 19-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, their last defeat coming against Atalanta BC on December 9.

Young Boys have failed to record a win since claiming the scalp of Leverkusen last month with three successive draws being recorded in the Swiss top flight.

Nevertheless, Gerardo Seoane's team hold a 19-point advantage on the domestic scene, allowing them to focus on progressing further in the Europa League.

As clear underdogs ahead of the double-header with Leverkusen, they outclassed their most illustrious opponents in the final third, scoring six goals across the two legs.

Theoson Siebatcheu and Christian Fassnacht scored all but one of those strikes, and Seoane will hope that the pair can maintain their form for the game at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Team News

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With Haller not eligible to feature in this competition, David Neres could be introduced into the Ajax XI, allowing Dusan Tadic to play down the middle.

Nicolas Tagliafico should feature at left-back after proving his fitness at the weekend, but Noussair Mazraoui and Daley Blind remain doubts for the home side.

Young Boys were dealt a blow at the weekend when goalkeeper David von Ballmoos suffered a concussion, which should result in an outing for reverse stopper Guillaume Faivre.

Meschack Elia could come back into the starting lineup as a replacement for Marvin Spielmann.

Ajax possible starting lineup:
Stekelenburg; Rensch, Timber, Martinez, Tagliafico; Alvarez, Gravenberch; Neres, Klaassen, Antony; Tadic

Young Boys possible starting lineup:
Faivre; Hefti, Lustenberger, Zesiger, Lefort; Fassnacht, Lauper, Aebischer, Ngamaleu; Siebatcheu, Elia

We say: Ajax 3-1 Young Boys

On the back of their win over Leverkusen, Young Boys will have Ajax's respect ahead of this contest. With that in mind, we expect the home side to raise their level, outclassing their Swiss foes ahead of the reverse fixture next week.