Ajax have had a turbulent start their 2026/27 season.

Michel Sanchez's side has dominated most of their games, but they've dropped quite a few points already and sit 5th in the Eredivisie table with 15 points after 8 games. Feyenoord currently sit top of the table, five points ahead of the Amsterdammers.

Ajax drew 1-1 to NEC Nijmegen on Saturday night in Amsterdam and now prepares to kick off their league phase campaign of the UEFA Conference League in Croatia on Thursday.

Ajax qualified for the Conference League after three qualifying rounds. They beat Vojvodina, Shelbourne FC and FC Sion to reach the league phase.

Hajduk Split, Ajax's opponents on Thursday night, currently top the league table in Croatia, having won six of nine league matches. 

On Saturday night, they won 2-1 against Dinamo Zagreb, who won the league last season, and will therefore go into the game against Ajax with confidence.

Which Ajax players are unavailable against Hajduk Split?

Several Ajax players did not travel with the squad to Split on Wednesday.

Simon Adingra made his Ajax debut against NEC Nijmegen, returning to action after over two months on the sidelines due to an injury. He has, however, not travelled to Split, as he is not fit enough to play.

Daley Blind, Anton Gaaei and Steven Berghuis have also not travelled as they continue to recover from injuries. The same goes for Caio Henrique. The Brazilian left-back suffered an injury against Excelsior before the international break, and Michel confirmed in his press conference before the game against NEC Nijmegen that Henrique will be out for several weeks.

Kasper Dolberg is also facing a lengthy period on the sidelines due to a knee injury.

Yves Bissouma is not injured, but Ajax could not register him in their Conference League squad because he was signed after the deadline. He is therefore not available for selection on Thursday evening.

Predicted Ajax starting line-up

In goal, Marc ter Stegen will likely keep his place. With Henrique injured,

Owen Wijndal will start at left-back. Ajax also have Jofre Torrents, but the Spanish left-back is yet to make his debut for Ajax after moving to Amsterdam from Barcelona in the summer. At right-back, Michel may opt to play Thilo Kehrer. The German defender moved into that position against NEC Nijmegen after Lucas Rosa was substituted off.

If Kehrer does start at right-back in Split, Aaron Bouwman and Youri Baas will start in central defence for Ajax.

In midfield. Sofyan Amrabat will start in defensive midfield. Davy Klaassen will likely replace Jorthy Mokio in the no. 8 position, with Julian Brandt starting in the no. 10 role.

Oscar Gloukh has been Ajax's first-choice left winger so far this season, but he did not have his best game against NEC Nijmegen, and Abdellah Ouazane has been very impressive so far this season. The Moroccan international should therefore start against Hajduk Split.

Viktor Tsygankov will start on the right wing as Berghuis is injured. With Dolberg injured and Leonardo out of form, Tolu Arokodare will likely start as the striker. The Nigerian has been excellent this season.

Ajax predicted starting line-up: Ter Stegen; Kehrer, Bouwman, Baas, Wijndal; Amrabat, Klaassen, Brandt; Tsygankov, Tolu, Ouazane.