* Spartak Moscow’s 1-0 victory over Ajax in Amsterdam in the first leg last week was their maiden win against a Dutch team in five attempts.
* The Red-Whites are the only Russian opposition Ajax have ever faced.
* Valery Karpin’s side haven’t won at home in their last three European fixtures, having lost twice and drawn one.
* Spartak Moscow striker Ari played in the Netherlands for AZ between 2007 and 2010 and scored against Ajax on 23 November 2008 in a 2-0 victory in the Eredivisie.
* Ajax have won their last two European away matches and didn’t concede in either game.
* The former Dutch and European champions have yet to lose in the Europa League on the road – that’s six away games without a defeat.
* Frank de Boer’s side’s defeat to Spartak last week put an end to their three-game winning streak in Europe. They didn’t concede in any of those three matches.
* Ajax are just two goals away from conceding their 100th goal in the Europa League/UEFA Cup.
LAST MEETING
March 10, 2011: Ajax 0-1 Spartak Moscow
Alex’s second-half strike proved to be the difference between the two sides in Amsterdam in the first leg of this round of 16 tie in the Champions League. The Dutch giants controlled most of the possession in the game and mustered no fewer than 15 shots on target, but had to suffer a one-goal defeat.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Spartak Moscow: Dikan; K. Kombarov, Rojo, Suchy, Makeev; McGeady, Ibson, Carioca, D. Kombarov; Alex; Welliton
Ajax: Verhoeven; Van der Wiel, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Blind; De Zeeuw, Anita, Eriksen; Sulejmani, De Jong, Ebecilio
Prediction
Spartak Moscow have seemingly done their job after winning 1-0 in Amsterdam. The Russian Premier League has just started, which means that they will now have some match practice ahead of their second leg, which should see them win again at home.
Spartak 1-0 Ajax 
