Sports Mole previews the Champions League semi-final second leg between Ajax and Tottenham, including predictions, team news and head-to-head records. Tottenham Hotspur must overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second leg of their semi-final tie against Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena if they are to remain on course for Champions League glory. The only goal of the first leg in North London was scored by Donny van de Beek, leaving the Dutch hosts well placed to reach the final for the first time in 23 years. Ajax © Reuters Deserved winners in last week's first leg, even if they did drop off slightly in the second half, Ajax head into the return fixture with Spurs boasting their first piece of silverware of the campaign. The Amsterdam outfit ended their decade-long wait for success in the Dutch Cup thanks to a straightforward 4-0 win over Willem II at De Kuip on Sunday, courtesy of a Klaas-Jan Huntelaar brace and a goal apiece for Daley Blind and Rasmus Nissen. With the first leg of a possible treble complete - they lead the way at the top of Eredivisie on goal difference with two games to go - Ajax now turn focus back to the Champions League. This is already the furthest they have made it in the competition since 1997, knocking out three-in-a-row champions Real Madrid and many people's favourites Juventus along the way. Ajax lost the home leg of the Madrid tie in the last 16 and drew against Juventus at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in the quarter-finals, only to recover away from home in the second legs. The roles are reversed now, of course, as they have a one-goal lead to protect. In fact, the Dutch giants are winless in their last three Champions League home games and could become the fourth team to reach the Champions League final with more away wins than home wins, after Manchester United in 2011, Juventus in 2017 and Madrid last season. Erik ten Hag's men have already played 17 games in this season's Champions League, having also had to come through three qualifying rounds. They have only lost one of those 17 games - their 2-1 home defeat against Madrid in the round of 16. The size of Tottenham's task is pretty clear, then, especially when considering that Ajax are the only remaining side to have scored in every game in the competition this season. With six wins in a row under their belt, Ten Hag's young squad look well positioned to keep their incredible run going. Recent form in Champions League: DLWDWW Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWW Tottenham © Reuters Only one of the 17 previous teams to lose the first leg at home in a Champions League or European Cup semi-final tie has progressed to the final. That side? Ajax in 1995-96, when losing 1-0 at home against Panathinaikos before winning 3-0 away. The onus is on Tottenham's men to find the back of the net in Amsterdam. Having registered just one shot on target in the opening 90 minutes - their joint-lowest total in a Champions League game - far more will be required from Mauricio Pochettino's men on Wednesday. Pochettino will have Son Heung-min back in his ranks this week - a huge boost for Spurs, who had to make do without their two most threatening attackers in the first leg, with injured striker Harry Kane also out of both matches. Son, suspended last week, has scored 50% of Tottenham's goals in this season's Champions League knockout stages (four out of eight). The South Korean forward is also the highest Asian goalscorer in the competition's history (12 goals) and will provide the Lilywhites with an entirely different threat in behind, something they seriously lacked last time out. Even with Son in their ranks against Bournemouth at the weekend, however, it was a familiar story for Spurs - who had Son and Juan Foyth sent off - as they suffered a third successive 1-0 loss, and their fourth in five matches. Accounting for the 4-3 defeat to Manchester City in the quarter-final second leg, which would have felt like more of a victory as it took Spurs through to the semis on away goals, Pochettino's side have now lost five of their last six games. Tottenham's slim squad has started to show as tiredness has become more and more apparent with each passing game. However, with a top-four spot in the Premier League effectively assured of thanks to disappointing draws for Manchester United and Arsenal at the weekend, Pochettino's men must now produce one final 90-minute performance that could potentially define their careers. Reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League, having not spent a single penny on new players in 16 months, is an incredible achievement in itself. Pochettino will want more, though, and the only way he will get his wish is if his side produce a magical performance in Amsterdam. Recent form in Champions League: DWWWLL Recent form (all competitions): LLWLLL Team News © Reuters Despite his red card at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, Son is eligible to feature in this second leg. The South Korean is certain to start, with Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen expected to join him in attack. Jan Vertonghen was allowed to play despite suffering a horrific clash of heads with teammate Toby Alderweireld in the first leg, but he has showed no further ill effects and could return to the side after sitting out the Bournemouth match. Kane, Harry Winks and Serge Aurier are all still absent, meanwhile, and Erik Lamela is unlikely to feature, but Moussa Sissoko is now fully fit and can play a full part. As for the hosts, Carel Eiting remains their only injury absentee, giving Ten Hag a full selection of regulars to choose from. The Dutchman has a settled XI, which includes Andre Onana, Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and Dusan Tadic through the spine. The only place up for grabs is likely to be at right-back, where Joel Veltman got the nod over Noussair Mazraoui in the first leg. Hakim Ziyech has scored or assisted a goal in four of Ajax's five Champions League knockout games this season, including an assist for Van de Beek's goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Ajax possible starting lineup: Onana; Veltman, De Ligt, Blind, Tagliafico; Schone, De Jong, Van de Beek; Ziyech, Tadic, Neres Tottenham possible starting lineup: Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Trippier, Sissoko, Wanyama, Rose; Eriksen, Alli; Son Head To Head The two sides have met in only one previous European tie - Spurs winning 6-1 on aggregate in the 1981-82 European Cup Winners' Cup first round. Goals from Glenn Hoddle, Mark Falco and Ricky Villa helped the Lilywhites to a 3-1 first-leg win in Amsterdam, before winning the return match 3-0 in the English capital. Tottenham's two previous Champions League away games against Dutch opposition ended in draws, with a grand total of 10 goals being scored at an average of five goals per game. We say: Ajax 2-1 Tottenham (3-1 on aggregate) Since the start of 2018, Spurs have won only one of their six Champions League away games - a 1-0 victory at Borussia Dortmund in this season's round of 16. Ajax may be winless in their last three home games in the competition, but they have the advantage of an away goal and are much fancied to complete the job in front of their fanatic supporters.<doc-sep>Tottenham Hotspur are in Amsterdam for the second leg of their Champions League semifinal series against Ajax. In the first leg, a severely injury depleted and Son Heung-Min-less Spurs battled to a narrow 1-0 loss to the Eredivisie co-leaders thanks to an early goal from Donny van de Beek. The team is still injury-depleted, but Son has returned and is set to start today. That gives Spurs a significant offensive weapon against a very good but young Ajax defense. Spurs are also without Davinson Sanchez, Harry Winks, and Harry Kane, but will welcome Jan Vertonghen back to the lineup and could also Serge Aurier available, as well as Erik Lamela. This is going to be a tough match. Ajax should probably be considered the favorites to advance at home with a slim “halftime” lead. However, as we’ve already seen from Liverpool yesterday, anything can happen at this stage of the competition. And no matter the end result today, this has been an absolutely magnificent run from a Tottenham team that nobody expected to make it this far. Enjoy this, my friends. Win or lose, Tottenham Hotspur are playing in the semifinals of the Champions League. That is, and will continue to be, remarkable. THE CHAAAAAAAAAAAAMPIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONS! COYS! Lineups How to Watch Time/Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2019 | 3 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. BST ELocation: Location: Johann Cruyff Stadium, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Match Official: Felix Brych (GER) TV: BT Sport 2 (United Kingdom), TNT (USA-English), Univision (USA-Spanish), Optus (Australia), other countries at www.livesoccertv.com Streaming: B/R Live [$], fubo.tv (free trial), WatchTNT (USA-English), BT Sport Live (UK), DAZN (Canada) Match thread rules:<doc-sep>Ajax vs Tottenham: TV channel, live stream, squad news & preview Donny van de Beek's goal has given the Eredivisie side the edge over Spurs as both seek to meet Liverpool in the Champions League final on June 1 Tottenham will join Liverpool in the Champions League final on June 1 if they can turnaround a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Ajax at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Wednesday. Donny van de Beek’s well-worked goal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Tuesday is the difference between the sides ahead of a return match in the Netherlands, though Erik ten Hag’s side may feel they should have a bigger advantage to protect as they go home. Ajax won the KNVB Beker on Sunday by defeating Willem II 4-0 in Rotterdam, offering a further boost to their confidence, while Spurs suffered a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth, conceding late on in a game they played a large portion of with just nine men. Can the Premier League club rediscover their form and with it a spot at the Wanda Metropolitano? Game Ajax vs Tottenham Date Wednesday, May 8 Time 8:00pm BST / 3:00pm EST Stream (US only) fubo TV (7-day free trial) TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch For UK readers, get your fix on the latest football on TV here! US readers can find out what soccer is on TV here! In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial). New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser. US TV channel Online stream TNT USA / Univision Deportes fubo TV (7-day free trial) In the United Kingdom (UK), the game will be shown on BT Sport 2 and streamed on the BT Sport Live app. UK TV channel Online stream BT Sport 2 BT Sport Live Squads & Team News Position Ajax squad Goalkeepers Onana, Lamprou, Varela Defenders De Ligt, Blind, Sinkgraven, Veltman, Kristensen, Magallan, Mazraoui, Tagliafico Midfielders Schone, Van de Beek, De Jong, De Wit Forwards Dolberg, Ziyech, Tadic, Neres, Huntelaar, Labyad, Ekkelenkamp Ajax starting XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Blind, Tagliafico; Schone, De Jong; Ziyech, Van de Beek, Neres; Tadic Position Tottenham players Goalkeepers Lloris, Vorm, Gazzaniga Defenders Trippier, Rose, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Sanchez, Walker-Peters, Foyth, Davies Midfielders Dier, Wanyama, Sissoko, Eriksen, Marsh, Skipp, Lamela, Alli Forwards Llorente, Son, Lucas Tottenham starting XI: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Wanyama, Sissoko; Eriksen, Dele, Lucas; Son Betting & Match Odds Ajax are 13/10 favourites to win with Bet365. Tottenham are outsiders at 21/10 while a draw is available at 27/10. Click here to see all of bet 365's offers for the game, including goalscoring markets, correct score predictions and more. Match Preview When the dust settles on this campaign for Tottenham, it will be considered a successful one. A top-four finish in the Premier League has virtually been achieved, while the club could not have hoped for much better than a run to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Spurs, though, have lost nine of their last 14 games, winning only four, nearly losing their spot among Europe’s elite next season and jeopardising their hopes in the European Cup against Ajax. While the campaign will be remembered as a success, it threatens to be one tarred by unfulfilled potential, both domestically and in Europe. If their hopes of the Premier League have long been lost, that is not the case in the Champions League. Liverpool await the winners of this tie in what has been the Year of the Comeback in the competition. Spurs were the club that really started the trend, recovering from a seemingly impossible position in the group stage to dramatically seal their place in the knockout rounds. Before the Reds rallied on Tuesday to come back and beat Barcelona having lost the first leg 3-0 at Camp Nou, Ajax were the undisputed kings of the recovery in the competition. Both Real Madrid and Juventus – hopefuls to win the whole thing – had left Amsterdam feeling content with their work only to be defeated at home, in the Spaniards’ case a 4-1 thumping that will remain engrained in the history of the two clubs for very different reasons. Now the Dutch side face the challenge of being frontrunners – and possibly even favourites – in the knockout stages, something they have not experienced previously. With a famously offensive mindset, coach Erik ten Hag will not allow his side to take a step back. “We will step onto the pitch with the score 0-0 in our minds,” he said. “I want my team to reach a higher level than we already have reached this season, and to win. "We have to win the match and we'll play to our strengths. We have to win. It's a new game we have to play.” Article continues below Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, meanwhile, still clearly believes in his side’s chances after being drawn into musing over his future should they go all the way. “To win the Champions League with Tottenham, in this circumstance, in this season, maybe I need to think a little bit to do something different in the future, for sure,” he said. Wednesday’s game will not make or break Spurs’ season, but it could provide a pathway to an incredible finale.<doc-sep>
Ajax host Tottenham in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final between the sides at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Wednesday evening (kick-off at 21:00 CEST) with the tie finely balanced at 1-0 to the Dutch side. The home side’s form is considerably more encouraging than Spurs’ going into the game: Ajax lifted the KNVB Cup last weekend with a commanding 4-0 victory over Willem II while Tottenham slumped to a 1-0 defeat away at Bournemouth, where they were reduced to 10 men after Son Heung-min and Juan Foyth were both given their marching orders. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have won just once in their last six games in all competitions and haven’t managed an away victory since beating Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League back in early March. Of equal concern to Pochettino will be his side’s lack of goals, with Spurs only finding the net once in their last five matches. The visitors will need to do so at least once in the 90 in Amsterdam to remain in the tie. Ajax, meanwhile, are still on for a treble and unbeaten in 10 games across all competitions, their last defeat coming in a 1-0 away defeat at AZ Alkmaar two months ago. In the interim, Erik ten Hag’s side have stuck four past Willem II (twice), four past Vitesse and hit Excelsior for six in between knocking Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus out of the Champions League. Spurs can look to Liverpool’s sensational 4-0 thrashing of Barcelona for inspiration: Jürgen Klopp’s side were similarly depleted and unrested against the Liga champions, for who the decision to hand key players various levels of down-time before the match at Anfield backfired in spectacular fashion. Ajax team vs Tottenham (confirmed) Starting XI: Onana, Mazraoui, Blind, De Ligt, Tagliafico, De Jong, Schöne, Van de Beek, Dolberg, Ziyech, Tadic. Tottenham team vs Ajax (confirmed) Starting XI: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Sissoko, Wanyama, Eriksen, Alli, Son, Moura. Ajax vs Tottenham: injuries and suspensions Full screen ANTHONY DEVLIN (AFP) Ominously for Spurs, Ten Hag has his full complement of players to choose from with only Carel Eitling, who has missed most of the season with a serious knee injury, unavailable. There is just the one change to the XI who ran rings around Tottenham for the opening 30 minutes in London, with Noussair Mazraoui coming in for Joël Veltman at right-back. David Neres was initially included in the Ajax XI, but was replaced at the last minute by Kasper Dolberg. Pochettino is still without star striker Harry Kane, Serge Aurier and Harry Winks, with Davinson Sánchez joining the list of absentees due to a thigh problem picked up against Bournemouth, adding injury to insult. Jan Vertonghen sat out that game after sustaining a nasty head injury in the opening leg but is able to start in Amsterdam, while Erik Lamela is also available again after a hamstring injury and is on the bench. Son returns from suspension to bolster Spurs' attacking line. Ajax vs Tottenham: what the managers said Full screen JOHN THYS (AFP) Erik ten Hag: “We’re growing as a team”, continued Blind. “We need to appraoch the game against Tottenham as if it’s 0-0. And we also need to play our own Ajax game. Let’s not take anything for granted. We need to be aggressive. The match isn’t a done deal.” Mauricio Pochettino: "We are living a dream. Five years ago when we arrived it was to reduce the gap to the top four, and then to have the possibility to play in the Champions League. I think nobody would believe we would be playing in the Champions League three seasons in a row and competing at this stage. You wouldn't believe at the start of the season that Tottenham would be in the last week of the season with the possibility of being in the final of the Champions League and to be in the top four."