Bet of the Day: Expect goals in Ajax - Chelsea friendly clash

We smell goals in Amsterdam this evening in a glamour warm up game...

23 Jul 2010 13:50:00

By Patrick Reilly

More On :  Ajax, Chelsea FC
Henrique Hilario (Getty Images)

Pre-season friendlies usually prompt bookmakers to be a tad more generous with their odds. This evening's clash between Ajax and Chelsea in Amsterdam is a case in point with tasty options being made available on the three way and goals markets.

Ajax's build up has been dominated by the Martin Jol saga as the Dutch coach flipped and flopped between the Eredivisie and the Kings Road as Fulham came calling. He eventually decided to stay put but knowing your manager was going to jump ship barely 48 hours before a match with the English champions is hardly going to inspire confidence in his players.

Chelsea began their pre season with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace and will face German sides Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburg before the Community Shield with Man Utd next month. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has already said he's goi ng to give goalkeepers Henrique Hilario and Ross Turnbull 45 minutes each in the Arena tonight after number one Petr Cech tore a calf during the week.

Ajax scored an incredible 106 goals last season in the Eredivisie, 43 more than league champions FC Twente, and you'd have to fancy them to put at least one past Hilario or Turnbull this evening. Chelsea have youngsters like Daniel Sturridge who will want to impress ahead of the new campaign.

Both sides are missing several players due to injury and and stars like Joe Cole and Dennis Rommedahl moving on from their respective clubs. Given all the upheaval at Ajax and Chelsea's goalkeeping problems goals look very likely in this one.

* Back over 2.5 goals at 2.0

Match Odds: Ajax 3.50, Draw 3.20, Chelsea 2.10

Yesterday's Tip
Our first loss of the week came courtesy of a shock in Sweden as Hacken turned over league leaders Helsingborg 2-1 when we fancied a small stake on the favourites and under 2.5 goals. Bad defending and a late penalty caught the Skane outfit (and us) out. See the action here.

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Odds correct at time of publication. Predictions are based on current form and information and cannot be guaranteed. Goal.com encourages all readers who bet to do so sensibly.


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