Champions League: Inter Milan Look to Unload on Unbeaten Ajax

Ajax vs Inter Milan

Inter Milan are off to an up-and-down start to the 2025-26 campaign, and they hope to return to winning ways when they visit the Johan Cruyff Arena to take on Ajax in their first Champions League match.

Cristian Chivu’s men started their season with a 5-0 rout of Torino, but it was followed by back-to-back losses against Udinese (2-1) and Juventus (4-3). Last weekend’s defeat against Juventus was particularly damaging to their morale, as they conceded twice in the closing stages.

On the other hand, Ajax are undefeated under new head coach John Heitinga, alternating wins and draws in their first five matches of the campaign. Ajax, currently third in the Dutch Eredivisie table with 11 points, is coming off a 3-1 victory against PEC Zwolle last Sunday.

 

Talking Points

Ajax plan to restore order

Ajax appointed John Heitinga last May to become their manager this season after the team suffered a spectacular fall from grace under Francesco Farioli. They should’ve won the Dutch Eredivisie title last season when they defeated nearest challenger PSV at the end of March to mount a nine-point cushion at the top of the standings. However, they ultimately choked, dropping points in three of their final seven matches, losing out by one point to eventual champions PSV. Ajax also exited the Europa League in the Round of 16 and failed to claim the KNVB Beker, so it has been three years since they’ve lifted a major trophy.

Heitinga will become the fifth different person to both play and manage Ajax in the Champions League after Johan Cruyff, Ronald Koeman, Frank de Boer, and Danny Blind. He has nearly a full squad available, as Branco van den Boomen is the only notable player unavailable for Ajax due to a back injury. Otherwise, Ajax have the weapons to hurt Inter Milan this Wednesday.

Wout Weghorst already has three goals this season, while Mika Godts just bagged a brace last time out, and they will form their front three alongside veteran Steven Berghuis. Kenneth Taylor is their main man in the middle of the park, having scored 15 goals across all competitions last season.

 

Inter Milan are no longer rock-solid defensively

Cristian Chivu urged his players to show “anger and pride” following back-to-back defeats against Udinese and Juventus, which have put him under heavy scrutiny because they lost both matches from winning positions.

Inter Milan’s defence has become porous recently, as they have conceded six goals in their last two games. During the summer transfer window, the Nerazzurri completed the deadline-day signing of Manuel Akanji, who could help in that regard.

Backline concerns aside, Inter Milan don’t have any other on-field issues, particularly up front. Marcus Thuram has been in form with three league goals so far, while Lautaro Martinez had nine goals during last term’s run to the Champions League final.

 

History

It has been a while since Ajax and Inter Milan last faced off in the Champions League, as their previous encounter was during the Round of 16 in the 2005-06 season, which Inter Milan won 3-2 on aggregate. Overall, Inter Milan have three wins, while Ajax have only one win and one draw.

Inter Milan are undefeated across 12 of their Champions League matches against Dutch opposition (W9, D3), their best record against a country more often in the competition without suffering defeat. 

After winning their first three Champions League matches against Italian sides without conceding, Ajax have since won only three of their last 25 (D9, L13), keeping just three clean sheets in that run. 

Meanwhile, Inter Milan secured 20 clean sheets in the Champions League between 2022-23 and 2024-25, five more than any other side. However, they’ve conceded 13 goals in their final four games of last term.

 

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Champions League 2025 odds favour Inter Milan winning over Ajax. Inter Milan are 1.84 favourites to win, whereas Ajax are 3.67 underdogs, and a draw is at 3.51 in the 1X2 market. Considering the recent form between these two sides, this encounter might be closer than expected.

Either way, we’re sure that fans at the Johan Cruyff Arena will get their usual dose of Champions League 2025 highlights, which is why we recommend the bet above. Bettors could consider adding options like Over 2.50 at 1.68 and Over 2.75 at 1.86 to the parlay. Furthermore, a Correct Score of 1-0 in favour of Inter Milan and 2-2 – the results of their last two Champions League meetings – are on offer at 8.40 and 13.50.

   

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