Still unbeaten in this season's competition, Europa League leaders Lazio will visit Ajax at Johan Cruijff ArenA on Thursday.

Last time out in the Europa League, Ajax were beaten 2-0 by Real Sociedad in San Sebastian, striking the post twice as they lost for the first time in this year's league phase.

The Amsterdam giants have won both of their two home games, though - thumping Besiktas 4-0 and putting five past Maccabi Tel Aviv without reply - and a tally of 10 points leaves them sixth in the table with three rounds remaining.

Nevertheless, their grasp on an all-important top-eight position has been loosened, and only an impressive goal difference now separates them from the playoff places.

In addition to scoring freely, only Lazio and Athletic Bilbao have conceded fewer goals so far, while Ajax have also kept three clean sheets - in addition to six on the domestic scene.

However, Francesco Farioli's side slumped to a rare league defeat against AZ Alkmaar on Sunday, soon after settling for a 2-2 home draw with surprise package Utrecht, and they occupy third place in the Eredivisie - nine points adrift of leaders PSV Eindhoven.

After seeing a 12-match unbeaten streak in the Dutch league finally ended, Ajax must now switch focus to continental concerns: having failed to win any of their last 12 home games against Italian opposition, Farioli will be keen to halt that run when hosting his countrymen.

Although Lazio picked up another point in their last Europa League outing, drawing 0-0 at home to Ludogorets, their 100% record in the inaugural league phase came to its end.

Still top of the table on 13 points, having been joined on that mark by Eintracht Frankfurt, the Rome club are very much on track for automatic qualification to the last 16.

In Marco Baroni's first season as Biancocelesti boss, his squad have exceeded expectations thus far, and a recent double victory over former Serie A leaders Napoli has increased their chances of competing on three fronts.

Days after knocking their Neapolitan counterparts out of the Coppa Italia, Lazio repeated the feat at Stadio Maradona last weekend, when Gustav Isaksen's late winner left them just three points shy of new front-runners Atalanta BC.

The unmistakable glint of silverware can be seen, but Baroni will be aware that his free-scoring team can still improve in one particular department.

Imperious at Stadio Olimpico, all four of Lazio's domestic defeats have arrived on the road; so leaving Amsterdam with three points would go a long way to proving their mettle.

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Pasveer; Gaaei, Sutalo, Kaplan, Hato; Van den Boomen, Henderson, Taylor; Berghuis, Weghorst, Godts

Lazio possible starting lineup:

Mandas; Lazzari, Gigot, Patric, Pellegrini; Rovella, Dele-Bashiru; Tchaouna, Pedro, Noslin; Castellanos