Having lost to PSG last time out, Barcelona will be eager to make things right against Ajax and ensure they remain the favourites to go through.

Meanwhile, the Amsterdammers are still unbeaten in this year’s competition and they would probably be delighted with a third straight draw.

Barcelona seem to have recovered well from what was a largely disappointing season for their standards and the squad rebuilding process seems to be going according to plan.

Most summer signings have slotted right in and with Luis Suarez soon to be available, the Catalans have plenty of reason for optimism.

Barcelona are already four and five points clear of title rivals Real and Atletico, and they have yet to concede a goal in eight league games.

But, having suffered a 3-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, they will be very motivated to record a big win against Ajax and can be backed at 2.05 (21/20) to win by three goals or more.

It remains to be seen whether Luis Enrique will decide to rest some of his starters ahead of the weekend’s El Clasico that should see Luis Suarez make his first appearance for the club.

Adriano Correia has been ruled out through injury, while Sergio Busquets is unlikely to be risked and Douglas and Thomas Vermaelen are back in contention.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Bravo – Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba – Rakitic, Mascherano, Iniesta – Pedro, Messi, Neymar.

Ajax may be the dominant force in Dutch Eredivisie, but the club have enjoyed very little European success of late, even if they have been handed some pretty tough groups in the process.

The Amsterdammers currently trail arch rivals PSV Eindhoven by four points in the league, having failed to win their previous two fixtures.

Meanwhile, Ajax did well to hold Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 draw in their opening Champions League match, before bringing one point from the away clash with APOEL.

Frank de Boer’s side now face a much tougher task in an attempt to keep the unbeaten run going, but having beaten Barcelona last time out, they also have reason for optimism.

Nicolai Boilesen and Thulani Serero have failed to recover from their respective injuries, with youngsters Riedewald and Menig called to replace them.

Striker Victor Fischer remains the only long-term casualty, meaning Kolbeinn Sigthorsson is set to start up front.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Cillessen – van Rhijn, Veltman, Moisander, Viergever – Klaasen, Zimling, Andersen – Schone, Sigthorsson, El Ghazi.