UEFA Champions League: Ajax vs Bayern Munich preview

Ajax and Bayern Munich clash on Wednesday at Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam in a match that will decide which of the two teams finishes at the top of UEFA Champions League Group E. The reverse fixture produced a very good result for Ajax, they drew 1-1 in Munich as Noussair Mazraoui scored to make it all square after Mats Hummels had opened the scoring early on. That was the second consecutive draw between these two teams, the previous one was a 2-2 that was recorded in 2004. In fact, three of the five direct meetings between these teams ended with draws, and each team won one of the remaining two matches. Ajax had a splendid season so far, they lost just one match in all competitions and they have started quite early as they had to go through three preliminary rounds before reaching the group stage of the Champions League. They knocked out Sturm Graz, Standard Liege and Dynamo Kyiv in the qualifying rounds and then won three of their five group matches, drawing 1-1 at Bayern Munich and Benfica. They have secured qualification to the next round with a match to spare, but if they beat Bayern on Wednesday they will finish at the top of the group standings. Andre Onana and Donny van de Beek picked up injuries during last weekend's 4-1 league win over Zwolle and will miss out, along with Hakim Ziyech and Joel Veltman. Bayern Munich are showing multiple signs of weakness this season, they have already lost three matches in the Bundesliga and are all the way down in third place in the league table, an unfamiliar position for them. However, their Champions League campaign is right on track, they have won four of their five matches so far and have secured qualification with a game to spare. They could still lose their top spot in the group table, though, and that should be a valid reason for them to play this match with determination. James Rodriguez and Corentin Tolisso are sidelined for the visitors, while Arjen Robben is an injury doubt. Probable line-ups: Ajax: Lamprou - Mazraoui, De Ligt, Blind, Tagliafico - Schone, Eiting, De Jong - Neres, Dolberg, Tadic Bayern: Neuer - Kimmich, Hummels, Boateng, Rafinha - Gnabry, Sanches, Martinez, Alcantara, Ribery - Lewandowski My prediction: Bayern to win 3-2, we should have a spectacular match between two good teams. Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: Ajax win - 3.80 Draw - 3.80 Bayern win - 2.00