Ajax at Real Madrid 3/5/2019 - Champions League Picks & Predictions

Real Madrid did not have an easy job in their away match against Ajax in the Champions League round of 16. But they managed to win that match and will now host the Dutch team on Tuesday for the second leg. Ajax fought really hard in the first leg and will likely do so again.

Real Madrid were wishing for an easier job in the first leg, as they really struggled to overcome Ajax by 2-1. But they did it, and they are now with one leg in the next round. Real Madrid have qualified to the quarter-finals in each of the previous eight seasons, and have an overall record of W9 L6 in this stage. Real Madrid have been excellent when facing teams from the Netherlands in two-legged ties (W6 L3). Moreover they have a 10-2-1 record at home against Dutch teams. Ajax fought tooth and nail in the first leg, especially in the first half of that match where they created a ton of scoring chances. But the second half was really balanced and Ajax couldn’t manage to keep the score at a minimum. They haven’t reached the quarter-finals since the 2002/03 season and are win-less in their last seven knock-out fixtures (0-5-2). Ajax have struggled against Spanish teams in recent years, losing 12 of their last 15 matches (2-12-1).