Ajax vs Inter Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
Ajax have returned to the UEFA Champions League but they have again experienced a lot of change over the summer as they welcome Internazionale to Amsterdam.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Ajax preview: Change at Ajax
Ajax fought their way back to being in the driving seat for the Eredivisie title, before then collapsing on the penultimate weekend. They finished as runners’ up and have since experienced a fair bit of change with Johnny Heitinga replacing Francesco Farioli.
The Dutch giants come into this one on the back of a 3-1 defeat of PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie. That means they have managed three victories and two draws in their opening five matches, already behind Feyenoord, who have a game-in-hand.
Inter preview: Struggles for Inter
Last season, Internazionale looked to be competing for the treble but the Nerazzurri lost a Derby della Madonnina Coppa Italia semi-final to AC Milan and missed out on the Serie A title on the final day before a 5-0 loss in the UEFA Champions League final.
After that defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, Simone Inzaghi left Inter before the FIFA Club World Cup and was replaced by Cristian Chivu. They now head into this on the back of a 2-1 loss to Udinese before a 4-3 defeat to Juventus in the Derby d’Italia.
Ajax team news: Nothing major
There are no major issues for Ajax to deal with ahead of the visit of Inter this week, with centre-back Ryan Bouwman sidelined alongside experienced midfielder Branco van den Boomen.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Jaros; Gaaei, Itakura, Baas, Wijndal; Regeer, Taylor, Klaassen; Berghuis, Weghorst, Godts
Unavailable: Bouwman (Injured), Van den Boomen (Injured)
Questionable:
Inter team news: Fully fit
There are concerns over Chivu’s management but the former Inter defender is blessed with a fully fit and available squad as the three-time European champions travel to the Netherlands.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Ajax vs Inter prediction
Ajax have started the season with a bit of control under Heitinga, seeking to avoid the chaos of recent seasons. There were concerns over Inter seemingly put to one side when they hammered Torino by five goals to nil on the opening day, but Chivu’s ambitious style with an ageing squad does appear to be leaving them way too open. Inter will want to batten down the hatches for this one, and Ajax would likely take a point, so it may not be a thriller for the neutral at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Ajax vs Inter Tip: Under 2.5 goals
