Galatasaray will visit Ajax at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam for their final league phase match in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night. Ajax, also known as De Godenzonen, have secured three wins from seven matches and currently sit 16th in the standings. Meanwhile, the visitors are in ninth place, with three wins and four draws so far.
Ajax Amsterdam vs Galatasaray: Match Preview
Ajax, who finished in a disappointing fifth place in the Eredivisie during the 2023-24 season, are aiming to deliver a strong performance to regain their place among Europe’s top teams. So far, they have recorded three wins, one draw, and three losses in the Europa League, which has practically secured them a spot in the top 24. However, they are coming off a shocking 1-0 defeat to Rīgas Futbola Skola in their most recent Europa League match.
Galatasaray, on the other hand, have been in fine form, losing only three matches this season. They are one of the few unbeaten teams in the Europa League, alongside Lazio and Manchester United. Galatasaray will look to maintain their unbeaten streak in this competition when they face Ajax.
Ajax Amsterdam vs Galatasaray: Head-to-Head
Ajax and Galatasaray have only faced each other twice in International Club Friendlies. The first meeting, in 2011, ended in a goalless draw, while the second match, in 2014, saw Galatasaray secure a 2-1 victory.
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 11/01/2014 | Galatasaray 2-1 Ajax | INT CF |
| 16/01/2011 | Ajax 0-0 Galatasaray | INT CF |
Ajax Amsterdam vs Galatasaray: Team News and Predicted Lineups
Ajax will be without Branco van den Boomen, who is suspended after picking up his third yellow card of the Europa League group stage. They will also continue to miss Benjamin Tahirović, who suffered a head injury last year. Owen Wijndal’s availability remains uncertain due to fitness concerns.
Galatasaray will be without Victor Osimhen, who is sidelined due to personal reasons. Additionally, Mauro Icardi has been ruled out for the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury in November 2024.
Ajax Amsterdam Predicted Lineup
Pasveer; Gaaei, Šutalo, Rugani, Baas; Fitz-Jim, Henderson, Taylor; Traoré, Godts, Akpom
Galatasaray Predicted Lineup
Muslera; Ayhan, Sánchez, Bardakcı, Jakobs; Torreira, Kutlu; Yılmaz, Mertens, Akgün; Aktürkoğlu
Ajax Amsterdam vs Galatasaray: Where to Watch
- Match Day: January 30, 2025
- Match Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: Johan Cruijff ArenA
- TV Broadcast: TNT Sports, Discovery+
Ajax Amsterdam vs Galatasaray: Match Prediction
Given their current form and squad depth, this Europa League clash is expected to be closely contested. Ajax will look to take advantage of playing at home, but missing key players like Branco van den Boomen and Owen Wijndal could affect their performance. Galatasaray, meanwhile, remain unbeaten in the competition, but the absence of Mauro Icardi and Victor Osimhen weakens their attacking threat.
Predicted Score: Ajax 1-1 Galatasaray
