Ajax v Schalke
Thursday April 13, 20:05
Live on BT Sport 3

Given the Dutch national team's current malaise, it's good for the Netherlands that one of their major club sides is through to the last eight of a continental competition. Ajax have been involved in all eight editions of the Europa League, but this is the first time they have reached the quarter-finals.

Ajax are also in the hunt for a domestic title. They have been chasing down old rivals Feyenoord all season in the Eredivisie, and they are now just a point behind them with four games left.

Peter Bosz's side have made steady progress through the competition (they beat Champions League dropouts Legia Warsaw and FC Copenhagen in the knockout rounds), and their home form in Europe has been very strong. They have won all five of their Europa League home matches this term, and they have kept clean sheets in four of those encounters.

Schalke have had a rollercoaster of a season in the Bundesliga, and have recovered well after losing the first five matches of the campaign. A run of three wins in five league games has eased any lingering relegation fears, and given the current compacted nature of Germany's top flight, they could even sneak back into this competition through the league next season.

The Royal Blues have saved their best performances of the campaign for this tournament. They were excellent in away wins at Nice and Krasnodar in the group stage, and they went into a hostile atmosphere to dismiss Greek side PAOK 3-0 in the last 32. I must admit I didn't expect them to get through their last-16 tie with fellow German side Borussia Monchengladbach, but they showed great determination to come back from 2-0 down in the second leg, drawing 2-2 to go through on away goals.

Ajax are without suspended Danish midfielder Lasse Schone, but his compatriot Kasper Dolberg is expected to return from injury, while Schalke have no fresh injury concerns. Breel Embolo, Naldo and Abdul Rahman Baba are all still sidelined.

I've been really impressed by some of Schalke's away performances in this competition, and I think they'll represent the toughest test Ajax have faced so far in the competition. On that basis, I'll back the visitors Draw No Bet.

Recommended Bet
Back Schalke Draw No Bet at 2.10


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