On Wednesday, December 23th, the UEFA Champions League elimination stage continues as an exciting matchup of the Round of 16 takes place.
Once Benfica and Ajax enter the field, we are bound to have a good showcase of skill on the ground.
The match will take place in Da Luz, in Lisboa, Portugal at 03:00 pm, E.T.
You can check the UEFA Champions League bets, the analysis of each squad and the final bet, and its analysis of each match of the tournament.
2022 UEFA Champions League – Benfica vs. Ajax – Betting Odds & Free Pick – Info
When: Wednesday, February 23th at 03:00 pm ET
Moneyline odds: Benfica +310 / Ajax -128
Draw Offs: +280
Where Can I Watch? CBS, Paramount+
Why Bet on Benfica
The days of Jorge Jesus are long gone, as former Benfica youngster, Verissimo seeks to steer his side throughout to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015-16. But his first 10 games in the dugout have produced a mixed bag of results.
Indeed, the Portuguese giants enter the first leg on the back of a 2-2 league draw with Boavista and have won five of their 10 games under the 44-year-old’s tutelage so far, but they have not failed to score on their turf in any competition since October.
Three group-stage finishes preceded Benfica’s progress to the last-16 stage this time around, but they ought to have their work cut out against one of only three sides to advance with a perfect record from their six group games.
Why Bet on Ajax
Refusing to let continued speculation surrounding the Manchester United job affect him, Erik ten Hag continues to oversee stellar progress at Ajax, who simply swept aside the competition in Group C to finish top with 18 points to their name.
Only Bayern Munich (22) notched up more goals than Ajax’s 20 in the group stage, and Ten Hag’s side enters the first leg having won each of their last 10 games in all competitions, although they had to rely on a late Jurrien Timber goal to get over the line against Willem II on Saturday.
Ajax is plying their trade in the knockout rounds for the first time since their sensational 2018-19 run to the semi-finals. While the core of that team may be on different clubs now, not many would put it past the Dutch giants to act as the dark horses here.
Final Betting Analysis: Benfica vs. Ajax
A trip to Benfica will present a significant sterner test than what Ajax has become used to in the Eredivisie, but the hosts are still finding their feet under Verissimo and cannot expect to emulate their group-stage win over Barcelona with ease.
Borussia Dortmund, Sporting, and Besiktas were all no match for this free-scoring and defensively watertight Ajax outfit in the group stage, and we expect Ten Hag’s side to claim a healthy first-leg advantage on Wednesday, making them our betting pick for the match.