Preview: Ajax vs. Willem II - prediction, team news, lineups

Ajax play host to Willem II on Thursday evening looking for the victory which will ensure that they remain at the top of the Eredivisie standings.

Meanwhile, early surprise package Willem II are now down in 11th position, a consequence of suffering four successive defeats.

Match preview

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There have been times this season when Ajax have not been the free-scoring team that everyone expects them to be, particularly in recent matches where they have been held to goalless draws by Heracles and Go Ahead Eagles.

Nevertheless, regardless of those surprise results, Erik ten Hag's side still sit two points clear of PSV Eindhoven with plenty of scope for improvement.

A 1-0 victory away at struggling Sparta Rotterdam did nothing to ease calls for an increased ruthlessness in the final third, but Ajax extended their phenomenal record of having conceded just once in 12 league outings.

With qualification for the Champions League group stages having already been wrapped up, Ten Hag will be happy to turn focus to upcoming fixtures against AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord.

While Sebastien Haller has been the key man in the Champions League, Dusan Tadic has starred in the Eredivisie, contributing six goals and 10 assists from his 14 appearances.

Earlier in the campaign, Willem II had dreams of lasting the pace with the defending champions, optimism which came from five wins being recorded from seven outings.

However, Fred Grim's side have now gone the same amount of fixtures without success, losing five of those fixtures and conceding 16 goals in the process.

Although their latest setbacks against Heerenveen and Go Ahead Eagles have been by one-goal margins, the Tricolores have no momentum ahead of their upcoming daunting trip.

Che Nunnely, formerly of the Ajax youth setup, has emerged as their most effective player in the final third, the 22-year-old contributing four goals and an assist this season.

Team News

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Haller remains a doubt for Ajax due to illness, while Antony also missed the last game through injury.

With Danilo also emerging as an injury concern, a reshuffle may lead to Tadic being deployed through the middle and Davy Klaassen being drafted into the team.

Nicolas Tagliafico is an option at left-back if Ten Hag opts to hand a rest to Daley Blind.

Despite going down to defeat at the weekend, Grim will give consideration to sticking with the same Willem II starting lineup.

Forward Max Svensson, who has been involved in every league game this season, is most likely to be recalled to the side.

Ajax possible starting lineup:
Pasveer; Mazraoui, Timber, Martinez, Blind; Alvarez, Gravenberch; Berghuis, Klaassen, Neres; Tadic

Willem II possible starting lineup:
Wellenreuther; Owusu, Michelis, Jenssen, Kohn; Llonch, Saddiki; Nunnely, Saglam, Kohlert; Wriedt

We say: Ajax 3-0 Willem II

Regardless of how the visitors impressed earlier in the season, this should be a routine 90 minutes for Ajax. Clean sheets have been their bread and butter, and we expect another shutout with several goals to boot.

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