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Football: UEFA Europa League Play Off Round Second Leg
Preview
Losing their first League game of the season might have knocked some of the early confidence picked up by Ajax, but they perhaps had the perfect opponent in the Europa League Play Off Round. The big win last week at the home of Jagiellonia Bialystok has allowed Ajax to place one foot into the Europa League Group phase and it would probably be four of the five toes from the second foot also about to move into the Group Stage after the 1-4 win.

In most cases there would be some concern in backing Ajax with a big game against Feyenoord next up on deck, but this has turned out to be the last fixture before the September international break.

Last season there were massive disorders at the Ajax and Feyenoord game in Amsterdam and the police have announced that they will not work the fixture that was set to be played this weekend. It is simply not a game that can be played without some support from the authorities and so the fixture has been postponed (although the reason is the police want better retirement funds rather than the issues that affected the game last year).

With that in mind, Ajax can place plenty of stock in trying to win this fixture and at least have some momentum to take into the September international break. The significant time off between games will be a slight concern and so key players should be given more minutes that may have been expected if the game in Rotterdam was set to be played.

Ajax have the experience and the quality edge over Jagiellonia Bialystok, a team that were comfortably eliminated in the Champions League Qualifiers last month. That defeat was against Bodo/Glimt and it is almost certain that Jagiellonia Bialystok will have to see if the Conference League Group Stage is a better fit.

The side were crushed 4-1 at Bodo/Glimt in the Second Leg of their Champions League Qualifier and that was after Jagiellonia Bialystok had lost 0-1 at home. They actually led against Ajax last week before falling apart and Jagiellonia Bialystok have not enjoyed the best opening to the season and have actually lost 5 in a row in all competitions having begun with 5 straight wins.

In the last Europa League Qualifying Round, Ajax did fail to take advantage of a First Leg lead brought back to Amsterdam having lost the Second Leg 0-1 here to Panathinaikos. They did eventually move through on Penalties, but this should be a much more comfortable night in the office for a team that can place their entire focus on securing a spot in the Europa League Group Stage draw on Friday.

Ajax had won 4 of their previous 5 games in Amsterdam in all competitions prior to the defeat against Panathinaikos. The quality of the Greek side should be considerably higher than Jagiellonia Bialystok, while the manner in which Ajax moved through the gears after falling behind in Poland should stand them in good stead to secure another strong win.

Prediction

Whenever a team has a big lead from a First Leg of any European tie, there is a feeling that the focus may not be as strong as it would be in a tighter, more competitive contest.

However, Ajax's League game this weekend has been postponed and that should mean the players are that much clearer with just coming out to perform well.

The side have had plenty of preparation time and will be about to embark on a period of rest or international duty. Ajax should take advantage of that and Jagiellonia Bialystok have struggled in Europe so far this season, while losing 5 in a row in all competitions will have sapped some of the confidence.
The Pick :
Ajax 3-1 Jagiellonia Bialystok
Ajax to win