Union Saint Gilloise vs Ajax Predictions

• Union Saint-Gilloise are unbeaten at their rented Europa League home with two wins and two draws
• Union have won six of their last seven games in all competitions
• Ajax have lost four of their last eight away matches

Ajax harbour pitch concerns for Brussels battle

Ajax head to Brussels to face Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League knockout phase playoffs on Thursday with concerns over the physically imposing Belgian side and the awful playing surface.

Francesco Faraoli’s side went top of the Eredivisie at the weekend with a 2-0 win over Fortuna Sittard on an equally treacherous pitch that several of their stars failed to handle. Fortuna hit the crossbar twice and constantly threatened from corners and free-kicks, which will be a worry ahead of a clash against a very proficient set-piece side like Union.

Ajax finished several places above Union in the League phase but only two points separated the clubs at the end and this tie looks like a 50-50 one on paper. Union don’t fill the massive national stadium that hosts their European games this term and the atmosphere suffers, but that has not stopped them from recording a series of solid ‘home’ results.

Union strong enough to prevail

Sebastien Pocognoli’s side drew with Bodo/Glimt and Roma, who finished one point either side of Ajax, and beat Braga and Nice in Brussels. They went into matchday eight above the Amsterdam club, but lost a tense clash at Ibrox 2-1 while Ajax overcame Galatasaray by the same score.

Union’s performance against Rangers was good enough to take all three points as they finished with more possession, shots and highlights in the final edit. But they squandered a couple of very good chances and paid the price in the end.

Their recent form, which includes six wins in the last seven, is good enough to make a case that they beat Ajax on Thursday and take a lead to the Netherlands for the second leg. Ajax have lost four of their last eight away trips and will be without Wout Weghorst, who broke his toe against Fortuna while providing a goal and an assist in the victory.