Ajax approaches this Conference League playoff match with tremendous motivation. The club risks being shut out of European competition for the first time in 60 years, so a defeat in the semi-finals would be catastrophic. Oscar García is expected to field a strong lineup with Wout Weghorst and Micah Godts in attack.
Groningen is a comfortable opponent for the hosts. Ajax has won 26 of their 37 head-to-head matches, and the Amsterdam team rarely loses at home to them, despite their status as the hosts being nominal. The visitors enter the match on the back of two consecutive wins, but their away record leaves much to be desired. Furthermore, a key factor: Ajax is forced to play their home match in Volendam due to the unavailability of the Johan Cruyff Arena, which partially negates the home field advantage but does not negate the quality of their players.
This season, the teams have traded home wins (2-0 for Ajax and 3-1 for Groningen), highlighting the importance of a strong home crowd, even at a neutral venue. Given that Ajax has no room for error and will press from the start, while Groningen has consistently scored in five of its last seven head-to-head matches, we can expect an open game. However, the quality of the players and their cup experience should play into the hands of the favorites.
