Preview: Villarreal vs Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups

[(Villarreal CF) Neutral]:
1. Villarreal CF performed unstably on offense. Over their last four fixtures, they were held scoreless in two matches but managed to score three goals in each of the other two.

[(Villarreal CF) Weakness]:
1. Villarreal CF are 2nd from the bottom after 6 matches in the Champions League, with only a mathematical chance of advancing. The team's motivation is highly questionable.
2. Villarreal CF have only 2 wins and 4 losses in the last 6 games across all competitions, showing poor recent form.
3. Villarreal CF won 8 competitive home games in a row previously, but with a home win rate of less than 50% in the last 9, showing a decline in home form.
4. Villarreal CF suffered a 4-game losing streak in the Champions League, demonstrating poor performances.
5. Villarreal CF conceded an average of over 2 goals per game in the last 5 Champions League matches, featuring poor defense.
6. Villarreal CF conceded 5 goals in the second half of the last 2 Champions League games, indicating weak defense in the second half of the tournament.

[(AFC Ajax) Strength]:
1. AFC Ajax secured a 4-2 away win in the last Champions League match, ending their 5-game losing streak in this tournament.

[(AFC Ajax) Neutral]:
1. There were goals scored at halftime in 18 of AFC Ajax's last 19 competitive games, which were not dull.

[(AFC Ajax) Weakness]:
1. AFC Ajax are 3rd from the bottom after 6 matches in the Champions League, with slim hopes of advancing. Their motivation for this trip is doubtful.
2. Currently, AFC Ajax are the team with the most goals conceded in the Champions League, conceding 3 goals per game.
3. AFC Ajax were winless in their last two consecutive games in both the domestic Cup and league competitions.
4. AFC Ajax conceded at least 2 goals per game in 5 straight matches, featuring extremely poor defense.
5. AFC Ajax won only 4 of their last 16 away games, showing a poor away win rate.
6. AFC Ajax conceded at least 2 goals per game in the last 5 Champions League games, performing poorly on defense.

[Tips]:
Villarreal CF and AFC Ajax currently sit second and third from the bottom in the Champions League standings, respectively.

With both sides having slim hopes of advancing, their motivation toward the Champions League is doubtful.

Furthermore, both clubs have struggled for consistency in their domestic leagues recently, with their overall form being underwhelming.

Although Villarreal are still winless in the Champions League this season, they receive solid backing from the AH line for this home fixture.

Thus, Villarreal are favored to win.

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