Ajax Amsterdam striker Chuba Akpom hopes to continue his recent goal-scoring form when he faces his former club, Brighton and Hove Albion, in a Europa League Group B return leg on Thursday at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

The first leg of their group stage meeting ended 2-0 in favor of the Premier League side, thanks to goals from Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati. Akpom played for 15 minutes but failed to score.

Akpom has found form in his last two league games, scoring three goals in two outings, including a brace in Ajax’s 4-1 win over Heerenveen on Sunday. The 28-year-old had failed to score in his first eight games for the club in all competitions.

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The former Arsenal academy player has blamed his lack of form on instability since arriving in the Dutch capital.

Ajax will be hoping to improve their standing in the Europa League. They are currently bottom of the group with two points from three games.

With three games to go in the group stage, the Dutch giants need to turn things around to remain in the competition, as they are just three points behind leaders Olympique Marseille and two points behind AEK Athens and Brighton.

Akpom’s slow start to life in the Netherlands, coupled with Ajax’s struggles, has led to criticism of the British-born player. He has only started one game for Ajax and has played for less than 40 minutes in his last four league games.

However, he would be hoping that his newfound form would continue into the game on Thursday.