Alexandre Lacazette
Alexandre Lacazette is doubtful against Ajax. Getty

Ajax host Lyon in the semi-finals of the Europa League and will try their level best to make their way to the final and end their campaign on a high.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 5:45 BST. Live coverage of the game will be on BT Sport 3 and BT Sport 3 HD.

Overview

The Dutch side have been in brilliant form at home in Europe, winning their last six home games, a string of results which has propelled them to the semis of Europe's second biggest competition. European Champions in 1995, they have a tough ask against Lyon, who are desperate to win the competition in a bid to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Ajax beat Schalke in the quarter-finals and manager Peter Bosz insists that they have to be at their absolute best to see off the competition, given the quality of sides still in the competition. They will be without Joel Veltman and Nick Viergever through suspension but should be able to field a full strength team for the first leg.

Lyon aren't in great form themselves, having won only three of their last nine games, losing five times in the process, The run of form includes the 2-1 loss to Besiktas in the away leg, which matched their win in the home leg, thus taking the game to penalties, from where they progressed.

Their performance away from home has been particularly pedestrian, winning three, drawing two, and losing seven of their last 12 games. their hopes in Europe received another blow when their star striker Alexandre Lacazette was forced off the field with injury against Besiktas and is a massive doubt for the semis.

What Managers Say

Peter Bosz: There are only good teams in the semi-finals. Lyon definitely fit that description and so do Ajax. We'll need to be in top form in both matches in order to reach the final, and that's what we're planning to do. The Eredivisie [title race] doesn't distract us from the Europa League, that's something we have been dealing with all year – and it's no different in these last few weeks of the season. We will have to give our all, everything we have, to end the season on a high. It all starts with this Europa League match.

Bruno Genesio: We have to take our chances and to play our own game, like we did at Beşiktaş. It should be an open match against a really good side who play attacking football with some really fast players. Whatever happens tomorrow, we will still have the second leg to play. But I don't want my players to be complacent. Ajax are a great club. They were a team that caught my imagination when I was young. It is a pleasure to play a European semi-final here.

Betting Odds (betfair)

  • Ajax win: 13/10
  • Draw: 11/4
  • Lyon win: 11/5

Team News

Ajax

Possible XI: Onana; Tete, Sanchez, De Ligt, Riedewald; Klaassen, Schöne, Ziyech; Traoré, Dolberg, Younes.

Lyon

Possible XI: Lopes; Jallet, Nkoulou, Diakhaby, Morel; Gonalons, Tousart; Tolisso, Cornet, Valbuena; Fekir.