Overview
Union SG are in impressive form with 7 wins in their last 8 matches in all competitions. In their most recent match, they defeated Kortrijk 2-1 away. The favorable results have helped coach Sebastien Pocognoli's team finish third in the domestic league and continue to chase Genk and Club Brugge in the title race.
Franjo Ivanovic is Union SG's standout player in this year's Europa League. He leads the team's scoring charts with four goals.
Meanwhile, Ajax's recent performance is not far behind. In the Dutch national championship, the home team at Johan Cruyff Arena has won 6 consecutive matches and is leading the rankings after 21 rounds.
An important 2-1 victory over Galatasaray in the final round of the Europa League group stage was enough to help coach Francesco Farioli's team reach the next round.
Ajax are considered to be better than Union SG at the moment. They have a squad with many quality names such as Jordan Henderson, Brian Brobbey, Bertrand Traore, Jorrel Hato and Davi Klassen. Ajax are also showing impressive scoring ability in the continental arena.
In the Europa League group stage this season, the Dutch team's number of goals (16) is double that of Union SG (8 goals) and only behind Lazio and Tottenham. Not to mention, Ajax is also unbeaten in the last 6 away matches in Belgium (4 wins, 2 draws).
Meanwhile, Union SG have lost 2 and drawn 1 of their last 3 home matches in the knockout stages of European competitions (Europa League and Conference League).
Human resources situation
Union SG will be without Ross Sykes for this match due to suspension, while Sofiane Boufal and Alessio Castro-Montes are absent due to injury.
On the other side of the front line, Ajax's Owen Wijndal and Mika Godts are out due to injury.
Expected lineup:
Union SG: Moris, Mac Allister, Burgess, Leysen, Khalaili, Vanhoutte, Van de Perre, Sadiki, Machida, Promise, Ivanovic.
Ajax: Pasveer, Gaaei, Sutalo, Baas, Hato, Klaassen, Henderson, Taylor, Traore, Brobbey, Berghuis.
The match between Union SG and Ajax takes place at 0:45 am on February 14 (Vietnam time).
