Brighton vs. Ajax Betting Tips: Best bets including a 66/1 longshot

Brighton continue their Europa League quest as they welcome Ajax to the Amex on Wednesday. Our man Jimmy The Punt is on hand with his best bets including a 66/1 longshot. 

Anyone seen what is going on at Ajax? 

They most successful side in the Netherlands (75 trophies) currently lagnish in 17th, a point and a place off the foot of the table. 

Domestically, the Lancers have not won since matchday one, losing their last four on the spin and conceding 13 in the process. Across all competitions, that winless run stretches back seven games to the end of August. 

The poor start forced the club to part ways with Maurice Steijn, Hedwiges Maduro has taken temporary charge and this change in the dugout makes this clash a slightly more awkward betting proposition. 

Luckily we know what we are going to get from Brighton. Roberto De Zerbi is a manager who would rather lose than compromise on his style of play which makes the Seagulls great entertainment value. 

The South Coast side still await their first win in the Europa League. 

A shock defeat at home to AEK Athens on their competition debut kick started a period of seven games and only a win. IN amongst this poor run of results was a 2-2 draw at Marseille. 

The hosts will be desperate to get properly up and running on the continent and the visit of Ajax represents a golden opportunity.

Is the Eredivisie table lying? Is Ajax's tough schedule to blame? Have they just been unfortunate? 

In a word, no. They rank towards the lower end of the scale when it comes to xG generated from open play (7.68) and they are overperforming that figure by 3.32 goals.

At the other end, they have shipped the third highest xGA from open play (12.75) and conceded 16 goals. Defensively, those are relegation worthy numbers. 

Brighton’s games are rife with goals, an average of 4.1 per game, with this bet clicking in each of their five victories to date. 

I don't think it would be contradictory to tip Steven Berghuis (not to be confused with Steven Bergwijn ex-Spurs winger also at Ajax) to score a brace despite the Brighton heavy NAP. 

Brighton have not kept a clean sheet in any game all season, what's more they have shipped 12 goals in their last four with each of their opponents scoring at least two goals in those games. 

Despite their slow start to the season, Ajax are an illustrious club who have won more Champions League titles then Brighton have made appearances in the Europa League. 

With the change in manager, it could spark a reaction for the visitors at the Amex, a ‘new manager bounce if you will’. 

Yes, I think the hosts will edge a goal laden affair but the 75/1 about a Berghuis brace is simply too big to ignore. 

The former Watford frontman has nine European goals to his name (0.23 goals per 90), five of which came in the last two seasons when his side were playing in the UCL. 

His only goal of the season so far came in this competition and six of his 11 goals last campaign came in pairs. 

The same bet is as short as 33/1 with other firms.