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

Ajax travel to Young Boys on Thursday evening looking to seal their spot in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Three second-half goals in last week's first leg have put the Dutch giants in full control ahead of the reverse fixture at the Wankdorf Stadium.

Match preview

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After being drawn against a side who had defeated Bayer Leverkusen in the previous round, Ajax boss Erik ten Hag would have had concerns about a Young Boys side who possess quality in the final third.

However, his players were able to record the perfect result in the opening 90 minutes of this tie, netting a treble after the break and preventing their opponents from scoring an away goal.

While the Swiss side are not completely out of contention, Ajax will be confident that they can extend their unbeaten streak in all competitions to 22 matches.

Brian Brobbey scored a late third last Thursday night, a goal which came on the same week that it was announced that he was signing for RB Leipzig.

Nevertheless, the absence of Sebastien Haller means that the youngster will be provided with more opportunities to add to his two strikes in just 58 minutes in the Europa League.

At a time when Ajax hold an eight-point advantage in the Eredivisie, Young Boys are 17 points clear at the top of the Swiss top flight.

Four successive draws have undermined the dominance of Gerardo Seoane's side, but they have been left to cruise to the league crown during the closing weeks.

Seoane will still hope that his players can pull off one of the most memorable turnarounds of the campaign, with four goals having been scored against Leverkusen on February 18.

That said, even if their elimination is confirmed on Thursday night, nothing but positives will be taken from their run to the last 16.

Team News

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Having taken the opportunity to rest players during the second half against PEC Zwolle, Ten Hag is unlikely to make mass changes to his Ajax XI.

Perr Schuurs is a booking away from suspension, a scenario which could lead to Jurrien Timber being brought into the team.

Seoane must decide whether to take any risks on goalkeeper David von Ballmoos, who missed the first leg due to concussion.

Michel Aebischer is a definite absentee for the home side after collecting his third yellow card of the campaign last week.

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

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

We say: Young Boys 2-1 Ajax

Given the size of the task in front of them, Young Boys will naturally throw caution to the wind on Thursday evening. However, it is unrealistic to expect Ajax to go the full 90 minutes without finding an away goal that would effectively end this tie as a contest.