The hosts are heading into the match on the back of a 3-1 Eredivisie win over RKC Waalwijk 3-1 on Sunday, while Union Berlin edged past RB Leipzig 2-1 in the Bundesliga, a day earlier.
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Ajax will host Union Berlin in the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie at Amsterdam Arena on Thursday. Both sides are heading into the match on the back of victories in their respective league fixtures. The hosts defeated RKC Waalwijk 3-1 on Sunday, while Union Berlin edged past RB Leipzig 2-1, a day earlier. As of now, Ajax are occupying third spot in the Eredivisie standings, having collected 43 points from 21 games, three adrift of leaders Feyenoord. The visitors, meanwhile, are sitting at the second position in the Bundesliga table, with 42 points to their name from 20 outings, just a point behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Another European night awaits… ✨#UEL #ajafcu
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) February 15, 2023
Ajax have been in stunning form off late, having won four consecutive games across all competitions. Last time out, Johnny Heitinga’s side came from behind to earn three points against RKC Waalwijk, thanks to second-half efforts from Brian Brobbery, Jurrien Timber and Mohammed Kudus. It was de Joden’s third successive league-win, with 12 goals netted during these games. The Dutch outfit spent the first half of the season competing in the Champions League, finishing third in Group A, behind Napoli and Liverpool.
Union Berlin, on the other hand, secured second position in Group D of the Europa League, registering four wins and two defeats in six matches. Last time out, Urs Fischer’s side came from behind to get the better of Leipzig in the German top flight. Benjamin Henrichs put the Red Bulls ahead mid-way through the first half, before second-half efforts from Janik Haberer and Robin Knoche helped Union Berlin take all three points at Red Bull Arena Leipzig. It was their sixth consecutive victory across all competitions.
Ajax boss Heitinga is unlikely to make too many changes to the side that started in the last outing against RKC Waalwijk. Last game’s goal-scorer Brobbery might come into the playing eleven, joining Dusan Tadic and Kudus up front. As for Union Berlin, midfielder Janik Haberer is serving a one-match ban for three yellow cards and won’t be available for Thursday’s game. Therefore, either Morten Thorsby or Paul Serguin could come into the engine room, alongside Khedira and Jerome Roussillon.
Ajax Probable line-up: Rulli, Rensch, Alvarez, Timber, Wijndal, Berghuis, Taylor, Klaasen, Kudus, Brobbery, Tadic
Union Berlin probable line-up: Ronnow, Doekhi, Knoche, Leite, Juranovic, Laidouni, Khedira, Thorsby, Roussillon, Becker, Behrens
Ajax
| Opponents | Score |
| Waalwijk | 3-1 (W) |
| Twente | 0-1 (W) |
| Cambuur | 0-5 (W) |
| Excelsior | 1-4 (W) |
| FC Volendam | 1-1 (D) |
Union Berlin
| Opponents | Score |
| RB Leipzig | 1-2 (W) |
| Mainz | 2-1 (W) |
| Wolfsburg | 2-1 (W) |
| Hertha Berlin | 0-2 (W) |
| Werder Bremen | 1-2 (W) |
| Latest match-result | Score |
| Ajax draw Union Berlin | 2-2 |
The Europa League match between Ajax and Union Berlin will take place at Amsterdam Arena on Thursday at 11:15 pm IST.
| Ajax vs Union Berlin | Key Details |
| Date | February 16 |
| Venue | Amsterdam Arena |
| Kickoff time in Netherlands | 6:45 pm |
| Kickoff time in Germany | 6:45 pm |
| Kickoff time in India | 11:15 pm |
The live telecast of the Europa League match between Ajax and Union Berlin can be seen on RTL + in Germany. Meanwhile, those in the Netherlands can catch the live action via Veronica TV, Watch ESPN and ESPN 2.
