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FK Vojvodina vs Ajax: Tactical Preview of a High-Pressure Conference League Qualifier. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Vojvodina have shown strong attacking form with seven goals in their last two domestic matches, including a 4-0 win where Mulahusejnovic scored twice. Ajax’s technical quality and some defensive reshuffling for Vojvodina increase the likelihood of goals from both sides in this fixture.
A 3-1 away win for Ajax matches their previous European meeting in Novi Sad and reflects their superior squad depth and technical movement. Vojvodina’s defensive disruption and recent European struggles suggest Ajax can secure a controlled multi-goal victory.
Compare form, H2H, goals trends and key data for Vojvodina v Ajax.
FK Vojvodina welcome Ajax to Stadion Karađorđe on Thursday evening for the first leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying-round tie.
FK Vojvodina vs Ajax — bet365 Market Snapshot
Swipe through key markets with illustrative probabilities and sample bet365 odds based on our match analysis.
Ajax’s technical superiority and recent European success position them as likely winners over Vojvodina.
Both teams have shown goal-scoring ability recently, suggesting an open match with multiple goals.
Historical results and current squad strengths support a 3-1 Ajax victory in Novi Sad.
Vojvodina’s forced central defensive change may create openings for Ajax’s attacking midfielders.
Three Punchy Stats
- Vojvodina have scored seven goals without conceding across their two most recent domestic matches, beating Novi Pazar 3-0 before opening the new league season with a 4-0 victory over OFK Beograd.
- Ajax conceded only once across their final three pre-season fixtures, recording 1-0 victories over AEK Larnaca and Olympiacos either side of a 1-1 draw with Bochum.
- The previous European tie between these clubs ended 4-1 on aggregate to Ajax, including a 3-1 victory for the Dutch side in Novi Sad.
Attacking Threats Compared
Vojvodina’s recent scoring surge contrasts with Ajax’s technical creativity.
FK Vojvodina’s attacking output gives Ajax a clear tactical problem to solve.
Ajax can trouble FK Vojvodina by turning promising attacks into cleaner final actions.
Defensive Challenges
FK Vojvodina and Ajax show similar defensive weaknesses under pressure.
FK Vojvodina’s defensive shape will be tested whenever Ajax increase the tempo.
Ajax must match FK Vojvodina’s discipline and avoid conceding cheap openings.
The hosts have already experienced the unforgiving nature of European football this season. Their Europa League campaign ended with a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Ferencvaros, but a thumping 4-0 domestic victory over OFK Beograd has offered an immediate response.
Ajax arrive in Novi Sad at a different stage of their preparation. This will be their first competitive assignment of the new season after four friendlies produced two wins, one draw and one defeat. Their most encouraging performance came last, a 1-0 victory over Olympiacos that provided a welcome clean sheet and a more controlled finish to pre-season.
The contrast is clear. Vojvodina have competitive rhythm but also fresh European scars. Ajax have greater recovery time and an encouraging final warm-up, yet must quickly adjust from friendly football to a two-legged knockout contest in a demanding away environment.
Vojvodina must turn their domestic response into European resistance
Vojvodina’s opening weeks have already been emotionally exhausting.
Their Europa League tie against Ferencvaros began with a narrow 2-1 home defeat before collapsing into a 3-0 loss in Hungary. The aggregate score was painful, but the manner of the second leg was perhaps more concerning. Once the contest moved away from them, Vojvodina could not regain control.
Sunday’s 4-0 win over OFK Beograd was therefore more than a routine league result. It restored some confidence, demonstrated attacking sharpness and prevented the European disappointment from becoming an early-season crisis.
Nardin Mulahusejnovic scored twice in that victory and should retain his place at the centre of the attack. His role against Ajax will be very different, however. Vojvodina are unlikely to enjoy the same territorial dominance they found in their league opener, meaning Mulahusejnovic may have to operate as both a finisher and an outlet.
When Vojvodina regain possession, he will be expected to secure direct passes, occupy Ajax’s centre-backs and give supporting runners time to advance. If he becomes isolated, the hosts could find themselves defending for long periods without a reliable route up the pitch.
That would be dangerous against an Ajax side containing several players comfortable in advanced central areas.
The hosts need to make their possession count. Keeping the ball for its own sake will not be enough. Their attacks must either create a chance or finish with the team positioned securely enough to prevent an immediate counter-attack.
European knockout football can be brutally simple in that respect: one ambitious pass is exciting; five players standing on the wrong side of the ball afterwards is rather less charming.
Szucs suspension forces a defensive adjustment
Vojvodina will be without Kornel Szucs after the defender was sent off early in the second leg against Ferencvaros.
Djordje Crnomarkovic is in line to replace him in central defence, potentially joining Sinisa Tanjga in front of goalkeeper Dragan Rosic. That enforced change matters because defensive partnerships rely heavily on timing, communication and shared positioning.
Against Ajax, the centre-backs will face several difficult decisions.
Kasper Dolberg can occupy the penalty area, while Oscar Gloukh, Steven Berghuis and Mika Godts offer movement around him. If one defender follows an attacker into midfield, a gap can open behind. If the back line remains too passive, Ajax may receive possession between midfield and defence.
Vojvodina’s midfield must therefore protect the central corridor. The space immediately in front of the centre-backs is likely to be the most important area of the pitch.
Ajax’s technical players will look to receive there, turn and attack the defensive line. Vojvodina cannot allow those passes to become routine. Pressure on the ball must be coordinated with compact positioning behind it.
That does not mean the hosts should charge forward at every opportunity. An uncontrolled press would be an invitation for Ajax to play through them. The first defender must apply pressure, but the players behind him need to close passing lanes rather than simply chase the ball.
Ajax begin a new chapter under Michel
Ajax enter the competition after a fifth-placed Eredivisie finish and a dramatic route into Europe.
They required penalties to overcome FC Utrecht in the European playoff final, after which caretaker manager Oscar Garcia departed. Former Girona coach Michel has since taken charge, with the task of lifting a club whose recent results have fallen below its own expectations.
Ajax are beginning their efforts to return to the Champions League, but their immediate reality is a Conference League qualifier in Novi Sad. That contrast alone illustrates the scale of the rebuilding job.
The additions of Daley Blind, Caio Henrique and Marcos Leonardo have strengthened the squad. Blind could start in central defence, while Michel may otherwise retain much of the side used in the final friendly against Olympiacos.
Ajax’s four preparation matches produced a 3-1 defeat to Panathinaikos, a 1-0 win over AEK Larnaca, a 1-1 draw with Bochum and a 1-0 victory over Olympiacos.
The progression within those results is important. Ajax conceded three times in their opening friendly but allowed only one goal across the next three matches. Their final two victories were both secured without conceding.
Pre-season is not a flawless guide to competitive performance, of course. Football in July has a habit of making every tactical experiment look either revolutionary or disastrous. The truth usually arrives when the matches matter.
Still, the Olympiacos performance gave Ajax a more stable platform from which to begin.
How Ajax may try to control the match
Michel’s possible starting side contains a blend of experience, technical quality and attacking flexibility.
Davy Klaassen, Steven Berghuis, Youri Regeer and Gloukh could all contribute in midfield or between the lines. Their positioning will be crucial because Vojvodina are likely to protect the centre and challenge Ajax to find alternative routes.
One solution could be to overload a flank.
An overload occurs when a team places more players in one area than the opponent can comfortably defend. Ajax could use a full-back, a wide attacker and a midfielder on the same side, creating short passing combinations before switching play towards the opposite wing.
That approach would test Vojvodina’s compactness. If the hosts slide too many players towards the ball, space will open elsewhere. If they refuse to move across, Ajax may progress down the outside.
Blind’s distribution from defence could also influence the rhythm. His passing may help Ajax move beyond the first line of pressure, although the visitors must be careful not to treat possession as proof of control.
A team can dominate the ball and still defend transitions badly. Vojvodina’s 4-0 victory at the weekend showed that they possess enough attacking confidence to punish loose organisation.
Ajax should therefore maintain a sound “rest defence” while attacking. This refers to the positioning of the players left behind the ball to stop counter-attacks. It is an unglamorous phrase for a vital concept: do not let one misplaced pass turn a promising attack into a sprint towards your own goal.
Dolberg’s fitness creates a selection question
Kasper Dolberg played only the first half against Olympiacos because it was his first appearance of pre-season.
He remains a possible starter, but Michel must decide how much responsibility to place on a forward still building match fitness. Dolberg’s movement could help Ajax pin back Vojvodina’s defensive line, yet his ability to maintain intensity for a long period remains an important consideration.
Oliver Edvardsen offers an alternative after scoring the only goal against Olympiacos as a substitute.
That contribution may push him into contention, either from the start or as an option during the second half. In a two-legged tie, substitutions can be especially important because managers are not merely chasing the immediate result. They are also trying to shape the conditions for the return fixture.
If Ajax control possession but struggle to create clear chances, Edvardsen’s directness could become valuable. If the visitors establish an advantage, Michel may prefer a player capable of protecting the ball and helping the team manage territory.
Vojvodina’s new arrivals raise expectations
Vojvodina strengthened their squad during the summer after finishing second in Serbia’s top flight for the first time in 17 years.
Dejan Zukic arrived after recording seven goals and 11 assists for Wolfsberger last season. Ifet Djakovac joined from Akron Tolyatti, while Mulahusejnovic moved from Noah.
Those additions reflect greater ambition, but European football does not offer a gentle settling-in period. New combinations must function immediately, particularly against opponents who can punish hesitation.
Zukic’s creative output makes him a potentially important figure. His ability to connect midfield and attack could help Vojvodina escape pressure without relying entirely on long passes.
Djakovac may also be required to cover significant ground. If Ajax move their midfielders into wide areas to create overloads, Vojvodina’s central players will have to decide whether to follow them or protect the middle.
Every option carries risk. Following the runner can create space centrally; holding position can leave a full-back outnumbered.
That is where communication becomes decisive. Vojvodina cannot defend as a collection of individuals. Their distances must remain compact, and each movement must trigger a response from the players around it.
Familiar opponents, different circumstances
The clubs met in Europa League qualifying in 2024, when Ajax won both matches and progressed 4-1 on aggregate.
Ajax secured a 1-0 home victory before winning 3-1 in Novi Sad. Vojvodina therefore know how quickly the Dutch side can turn a competitive tie into a difficult evening at Stadion Karađorđe.
The Serbian club have also lost seven of their last eight European fixtures. That sequence adds psychological weight to Thursday’s game, particularly after the recent defeats to Ferencvaros.
Yet this tie will not be decided by history alone.
Vojvodina have changed personnel, Ajax have appointed a new manager and both sides are beginning a new campaign. Previous meetings provide context, not a script.
The hosts must resist the temptation to play emotionally. A frantic attempt to avenge old defeats could stretch their shape and offer Ajax the spaces they want. Controlled aggression would be far more useful than uncontrolled ambition.
Ajax face a different psychological challenge. Their reputation may create expectations of dominance, but reputation does not press, pass or defend. Their recent fifth-placed finish and narrow route into Europe should remove any illusion that progress will happen automatically.
The first-leg balance could decide everything
Vojvodina need to make home advantage meaningful without allowing the match to become reckless.
Their ideal performance would combine compact defending, aggressive pressure at selected moments and quick support around Mulahusejnovic. The striker cannot be expected to fight alone against Ajax’s defenders for the entire evening.
Ajax should aim to control the central areas, move Vojvodina’s block from side to side and create openings through patient combinations rather than forced passes. Their technical quality gives them several ways to progress, but their season is beginning under a new manager and their competitive rhythm remains untested.
The first goal could dramatically alter the tone.
If Vojvodina score, the stadium’s energy could intensify and Ajax may be forced to attack against an increasingly emotional opponent. If Ajax strike first, the hosts will have to decide whether to increase their risk or preserve the tie for the second leg.
That decision-making will be as important as individual quality.
Vojvodina arrive wounded by their Europa League exit but strengthened by a four-goal response. Ajax travel with a cleaner defensive record from the end of pre-season, a reshaped squad and the pressure that follows a club expected to operate at a higher level.
The glamorous interpretation is that Ajax’s talent should dominate. The controversial one is that talent without competitive sharpness can become little more than expensive decoration.
Thursday’s match will reveal which version of Ajax has arrived in Novi Sad and whether Vojvodina’s domestic revival can survive the far harsher examination of European knockout football.
📊 Market Explainer
Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
Selection: Both Teams To Score – Yes. Both teams must score at least once during normal time. The match winner does not matter; the selection is settled only by whether each side finds the net.
Correct Score Market
Selection: Correct Score – 1-3 Ajax. Predict the exact score at the end of 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties do not count unless the bookmaker states otherwise.
🎯 Pick 1: Both Teams To Score (Yes) @ 5/6
Vojvodina enter this second qualifying-round tie exhibiting sharp attacking momentum at Stadion Karađorđe, highlighted by seven goals scored across their previous two domestic outings. That run includes a dominant 4-0 victory over OFK Beograd, where striker Nardin Mulahusejnovic netted twice. Mulahusejnovic provides a dual threat as a physical outlet to secure direct passes and a central finisher, allowing creative teammates like Dejan Zukic to advance. Even during their recent Europa League exit against Ferencvaros, Vojvodina found the net during their 2-1 home defeat, proving their capability to breach European defences on home turf.
Ajax possess extensive technical quality across advanced areas under new manager Michel, with creative options like Oscar Gloukh, Steven Berghuis, Youri Regeer, and Davy Klaassen operating between the lines. While Ajax recorded clean sheets in their final two friendlies against AEK Larnaca and Olympiacos, they surrendered goals against Panathinaikos and Bochum earlier in pre-season. Vojvodina’s central defensive partnership must readjust due to Kornel Szucs’ suspension, placing Djordje Crnomarkovic alongside Sinisa Tanjga. This disruption increases the likelihood of Ajax finding central openings, while Vojvodina’s strong home scoring form supports a goal for both sides.
🎯 Tactical Indicators
- Vojvodina scored seven goals across their last two domestic matches, including four against OFK Beograd.
- Ajax surrendered goals against Panathinaikos in a 3-1 defeat and Bochum in a 1-1 draw during pre-season.
- An enforced suspension for defender Kornel Szucs forces a reshuffled central defensive pairing for the home side.
Risk Factor: Ajax kept clean sheets in their final two pre-season games, while Vojvodina failed to score in a recent European defeat.
Key Tactical Mismatch
Davy Klaassen, Steven Berghuis, Youri Regeer, and Oscar Gloukh consistently occupy central spaces between lines to unlock compact blocks.
Kornel Szucs' suspension forces Djordje Crnomarkovic into central defence alongside Sinisa Tanjga, testing partnership timing and communication.
⚔️ Pick 2: Correct Score – 1-3 Ajax @ 9/1
A 3-1 away victory for Ajax aligns closely with historical precedent and current structural factors surrounding both clubs. When these two teams met in European qualifying during 2024, Ajax established a 3-1 victory in Novi Sad following a 1-0 home win, ultimately advancing 4-1 on aggregate. Vojvodina’s recent European campaign highlights ongoing structural vulnerability at this level, demonstrated by a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Ferencvaros that included a 3-0 second-leg breakdown. Furthermore, Vojvodina have suffered defeats in seven of their previous eight European matches, indicating consistent difficulty in managing territory against high-calibre European opponents.
Ajax possess superior individual squad depth following the additions of Daley Blind, Caio Henrique, and Marcos Leonardo, alongside attacking weapons such as Kasper Dolberg and Oliver Edvardsen. With Vojvodina missing central defender Kornel Szucs due to suspension, Djordje Crnomarkovic and Sinisa Tanjga face immediate pressure against Ajax’s wide overloads and central combinations. Vojvodina’s recent domestic attacking display suggests they can strike once at Stadion Karađorđe through Nardin Mulahusejnovic, but Ajax’s superior technical movement between lines is positioned to yield multiple goals in a controlled away performance.
Risk Factor: Ajax’s new manager and Dolberg’s fitness may affect early competitive sharpness.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
⊕
What does the Both Teams To Score (BTTS) market mean for Vojvodina vs Ajax?
Both Teams To Score (Yes) requires FK Vojvodina and Ajax to score at least one goal each in regulation time. Scorelines such as 1-1, 2-1, or 1-3 result in a winning selection. If either team fails to score, the wager loses.
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How does the Correct Score market function in European knockout ties?
The Correct Score market requires selecting the exact final scoreline at the end of 90 minutes plus added injury time. Predicting a 1-3 Ajax win means Ajax must defeat Vojvodina by exactly three goals to one in regulation time.
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Why is Both Teams To Score considered a strong option for this fixture?
Vojvodina scored seven goals across their past two domestic games, while Ajax scored in three pre-season friendlies but conceded against Panathinaikos and Bochum. Both sides combine effective attacking options with reshuffled or early-season defensive structures.
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How does Kornel Szucs’ suspension affect Vojvodina’s tactical approach?
Kornel Szucs was red-carded against Ferencvaros, forcing Djordje Crnomarkovic to start alongside Sinisa Tanjga in central defence. This enforced change disrupts defensive timing and communication against Ajax’s fluid central attackers.
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What is the previous head-to-head record between FK Vojvodina and Ajax?
Ajax won both legs when these clubs met in European qualifying in 2024, winning 1-0 in Amsterdam and 3-1 in Novi Sad to advance 4-1 on aggregate. Vojvodina have lost seven of their last eight European matches overall.
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How does pre-season performance reflect Ajax’s readiness under Michel?
Ajax recorded two wins, one draw, and one defeat across four friendlies, concluding with consecutive 1-0 wins over AEK Larnaca and Olympiacos. This tie represents their first official competitive assignment under new manager Michel.
⊕
Who are the key attacking players featured in this fixture?
Vojvodina feature striker Nardin Mulahusejnovic, who scored twice against OFK Beograd, supported by Dejan Zukic. Ajax rely on attacking options including Kasper Dolberg, Steven Berghuis, Oscar Gloukh, and Oliver Edvardsen.
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Do extra time or penalty shootouts count toward settlement of these bets?
No, standard BTTS and Correct Score markets settle based strictly on regulation time (90 minutes plus injury time). Any goals scored during extra time or penalty shootouts are not included in wager settlement.
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Last Odds Update: Jul 23, 06:34 BST | Editorial Policy
