Ajax remain one of Dutch football’s reference points: founded in 1900, based at the Johan Cruijff Arena, and still carrying the expectations that come with that history. This season they sit third in the Eredivisie, with a 30-man squad averaging 26 years of age and valued at around £152m by Transfermarkt.
Their campaign has also taken in the KNVB Beker, Conference League qualifying and the Conference League league phase, but the league picture is the clearest guide. Recent form has been steady rather than immaculate: a 2-2 draw at FC Twente followed wins over AZ, Sparta Rotterdam and FC Groningen, with draws against NEC Nijmegen and Excelsior before that.
Ajax’s attacking output is the obvious warning for Celtic supporters. They are averaging two goals per home match and 3.3 away, with Tolu Arokodare on 13 goals and Davy Klaassen, Julian Brandt and Oscar Gloukh also contributing heavily. They have scored inside the first 20 minutes in eight of 19 league matches, so they are not a side that always needs time to settle.
There is, however, enough openness to note. Ajax are conceding 1.5 goals per home match and one per away match, which leaves room for a well-organised opponent to make the game uncomfortable. Their current standing is that of a strong, attack-minded Eredivisie side, relevant to Celtic chiefly because of their pace of scoring and European familiarity.
📈 Key stats and insights
⚔️ How they compare to Celtic
Celtic lead the table on points but Ajax present a different threat: Ajax's defence gives them an edge in tight matches while their away scoring is a particular danger, whereas Celtic hold the advantage in the standings and momentum; the tie will likely be decided by Celtic's ability to break down Ajax's compact defence and to contain their concentrated attacking outlets.
