Getafe v Ajax Betting Tips [20 February 2020]

Spanish side Getafe will get their first taste of the UEFA Europa League round of 32 action at home in the first leg. They are pitted against last season Champions League semi-finalists Ajax, making their record-equalling eighth appearance at this stage. The clubs had contrasting paths to this stage, with Getafe finishing second behind FC Basel in Group ‘C’, while Ajax were agonisingly dumped out of the Champions League Group ‘H’ finishing just one point behind the top-two Valencia and Chelsea.

Getafe are coming off a narrow 2-1 loss to Barcelona in La Liga that has come after four straight competitive wins. In fact, the surprise package of this year La Liga season, Getafe have won ten of their last 14 matches without a draw in the sequence. More importantly, nine of those ten wins have come with a clean sheet. In the Europa League they have won four of their six group stage games this season, with three of those wins coming with a clean sheet. In fact, both teams scored in just three of Getafe’s last 11 matches in the Europa League. Regardless, playing at home has worked to their advantage with Getafe losing just two of their last 11 Europa League home matches.

Ajax travel here on the back of a 3-0 domestic league win, making it nine wins in their last ten matches including two friendlies. Additionally, they have a very good pedigree in European matches, remaining unbeaten in their last 14 away matches – drawing and winning seven each. However, Ajax do not boast of a positive record in the Europa League although their last game in this competition has been in 2017. Ajax have lost their last four Europa League matches, while remaining winless in seven Europa League away matches. That sequence included drawing three and losing four including one in extra-time. Goals remain a constant theme, with eight of Ajax’s last ten matches ending with over 2.5 total match goals.

Getafe have been in good form this season, both in La Liga and the Europa League – especially at home. The Spanish side will look to make their debut knockout experience count, but stopping the exciting Ajax could be tough. Goals should be the order of the day, considering Ajax have seen over 2.5 total match goals in seven of their last nine Europa League away matches. We are backing this match to produce a high-scorer.