Ajax are hoping to win their first points in the group of death as they welcome Manchester City to Amsterdam ArenA, but the hosts have little reason for optimism. City, too, have had a poor start to their European campaign, but a win in Holland would be a perfect way to make amends.

Three games without a win

Ajax may have been on the verge of reaching Champions League knockout stages last term, but the Dutch giants have absolutely no chance of doing something similar this term. Besides the fact that the Amsterdammers had been placed into a much easier group last season, they also had players like Vertonghen, Cvitanich, Anita, Janssen and van der Wiel, all of whom have since left the club. With the sporting department failing to bring proper replacements, it was hardly surprising to see Ajax struggle this term, not only in Europe, but also on domestic stage. The 4-1 home defeat to Real Madrid proved the team simply lack the quality and experience to progress from the group of death, and after also failing to beat Utrecht and Heracles in Dutch Eredivisie, the Amsterdammers look destined for another European setback.

Injuries to Davy Klaasen, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, Nicolai Boilesen and Thulani Serero are only making life more difficult for boss Frank de Boer.

Must-win game for City

Manchester City have yet to really hit the ground running this season, but team’s experience and individual quality of their players have helped them grind out quite a few results this term. The Citizens were pretty unfortunate not to get something from their opening Champions League clash against Real Madrid, having entered the final stage of the match with a 2-1 lead, but then again they were lucky to hold Borussia to a 1-1 draw after being outplayed by their opponents. City have since beaten Sunderland and West Brom in the league, and are now ready to focus on the all-important Champions League clash against Ajax. The fact is Roberto Mancini’s side are not exactly playing to their potential at the moment, but with so many world-class players on the pitch and on the bench, the Citizens cannot fail to win in Amsterdam.

David Silva has failed to recover from a hamstring injury, while Douglas Maicon, Javi Garcia and Jack Rodwell continue to miss out.

Verdict

Ajax have already shown they lack the quality to mix it up with the best of them in Europe and the fact they are in poor form at the moment only adds to the worries. Manchester City are hot favourites to win in Amsterdam and if nothing else works, the sheer quality of their players should help them record a valuable win.

Our prediction: Away win

Odds: 1.75 (3/4)

Bookmaker: Sportingbet