Preview: Ajax vs. Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk

Ajax will be hoping to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit on Thursday when they host Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the last 16 of the Europa League.

The Dutch giants were humbled in the Ukraine last week as Roman Zozulya's 30th-minute goal separated the teams.

Frank de Boer's side, who are the only reigning domestic champions left in the competition, have won their previous two home games in Europe, failing to concede on both occasions.

Ajax are currently on a five-match unbeaten run in the Eredivisie, though their hopes of clinching the domestic title look all but over as PSV Eindhoven hold a commanding 11-point lead at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Dnipro head to Amsterdam on an impressive 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions that includes four wins in their last four outings.

Myron Markevych's men can also take encouragement from the fact that they have not been beaten in their three previous trips to the Netherlands. However, they have never reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

When it comes to the Ukrainian Premier League, third-placed Dnipro currently sit eight points adrift of leaders Dynamo Kiev despite taking nine points from the last nine on offer.

Viktor Fischer and Peter Leeuwenburgh are both sidelined for the hosts, while Kolbeinn Sigthrrsson and Niki Zimling are doubtful with knee and thigh problems respectively.

Artem Fedetskyi, Ruslan Rotan and first-leg goalscorer Zozulya are all suspended for the visitors, who will also be without the injured trio Serhiy Kravchenko, Matheus and Ondrej Mazuch.

Ajax:

Form in Europa League: WWL Form in all competitions: DWWWLD

Possible starting lineup: Cillessen; Van Rhijn, Veltman, Viergever, Boilesen; Bazoer, Klaassen, Serero; El Ghazi, Milik, Schone

Dnipro:

Form in Europa League: WLWWDL Form in all competitions: WDWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Boyko; Chygrynskiy, Douglas, Cheberyachko, Egidio; Fedorchuk, Shakov; Luchkevych, Bezus, Konoplyanka; Seleznyov

Sports Mole says: 2-1