Preview: APOEL vs. Ajax

APOEL will be confident of causing a shock against Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday evening after their valiant display against Barcelona two weeks ago.

The Cypriot outfit fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Camp Nou, but with qualification to the group stages unlikely, it's fixtures such as the one against Ajax that they will be looking to take advantage of to make the Europa League after Christmas.

Manager Giorgos Donis, who has guided his team to the top of their domestic league, could consider including Irish striker Cillian Sheridan.

Ajax began the group stages with a potentially crucial 1-1 draw at home to Paris Saint-Germain as they look to keep in contention in Group F.

PSG and Barcelona are favourites to make the last 16, but Ajax could make things interesting providing that they can come through their fixtures against APOEL with maximum points.

However, Frank de Boer's team, who sit second in the Eredivisie after seven matches, haven't recorded an away win in the Champions League for almost three years.

Midfielder Lasse Schone is an injury doubt after missing the weekend's win over NAC Breda with a groin problem.

Recent form

APOEL: WLWWD

Ajax: WDWWW

Possible starting lineups

APOEL: Pardo, Riise, Carlao, Mario Sergio, Joao Guilherme, Charalambidis, Efrem, Vinicius, Artymatas, Gustavo Manduca, Soteriou

Ajax: Cillessen, Moisander, Viergever, Veltman, Van Rhijn, Boilesen, Serero, Andersen, Klaassen , Sigþorsson, El Ghazi

Sports Mole says: 1-2