One of the matches of quarterfinals of the Europa League will be an encounter between the Dutch team Ajax and Schalke from Gelsenkirchen. Ajax approach the upcoming game as slight favorites, the men from Amsterdam have been performing powerfully in the recent months, fighting for the championship title on a national level, while Schalke have long made the Europa League their priority.
Within the last five matches Ajax won four times against Copenhagen, Feyenoord, AZ and NEC and the only draw in that period happened in a match against Excelsior. Within the Europa League this season, Ajax have lost only once: in Denmark to local Copenhagen with a score of 1:2, apart from that there were only victories and draws. There is no way Ajax can afford to lose the upcoming game.
Schalke aren’t having their best season. After 28 played rounds, Weinzierl’s team has managed to gain only 37 points in the table, which correspond to the tenth position in the tournament table. With such state of affairs, the Eurocup zone spot is not something Schalke can expect for, not to mention the Champions League. However, the Royal Blues have a chance to get into the Champions League directly via Europa League, but to do so, they need to win the current tournament.
Ajax and Schalke have a very high motivation for the upcoming UEL quarterfinal game. Whereas the Amsterdamers perform great at their home ground, the team from Gelsenkirchen is not so good away. Ajax footballers obviously understand, that the defeat in the upcoming game will equal the elimination from the tournament.
Prediction for the match: Ajax not to lose.
