Before we begin, I’d respectfully ask that we all remember that Jim White has announced that Harry Kane (who watched us train earlier, but did not actually kick a ball) will take part this evening.
Come full time metaphorically kicking Jim may prove cathartic.
So to the game itself. Ajax are predictable favourites @13/10, the draw is @13/5 and Spurs are @2/1.
Sonny is @9/2 for both First and Last Goal-scorer markets, and in a cruel twist, the bookies have Fernando Llorente price up shorter than Lucas Moura to achieve either task.
Son Heung-Min on his day can be dynamite, but this other pair are completely unreliable.
Heartbreaker Ajax to qualify in Extra Time is a whopping @28/1.
Belief You get @12/5 for Spurs qualifying in normal time.
Ajax are winless in their last three Champions League home games (D2 L1). That said, there’s only one ‘bigger’ game on the planet when it comes to motivation, so we’ll see how that form holds out.
They could become the fourth team to reach the Champions League final with more away wins than home wins that same season, after Manchester Utd (2010/11), Juventus (2016/17) and Real Madrid (2017/18).
After the dismantling of Barcelona last night, it would be brave side to want to progress to a final with Liverpool. Ajax are not of the required standard, however they may be slightly more prepared for such a game than we are.
I’m not quite sure what we’re prepared for – perhaps a fire sale in the forthcoming transfer window. That at least makes sense.
No goal @12/1 is my punt.
