MX23RW : Wednesday, April 27 08:34:31| >> :60:1340:1340:
[monks data]
Apr 23, 2022 at 3.30pm UK at Goffertstadion
NEC
0 - 1
Ajax

Schone (55'), Guth (59')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Brobbey (88')
Blind (53')

Preview: NEC vs. Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Eredivisie clash between NEC and Ajax, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Ajax will be looking to make it six league wins on the bounce when they visit Stadion de Goffert on Saturday to lock horns with NEC.

The Eredivisie leaders also have the chance to complete a league double over their hosts off the back of a 5-0 victory in the reverse fixture.


Match preview

Ajax's Steven Berghuis celebrates scoring their fourth goal with teammates on December 7, 2021© Reuters

Ajax suffered a second consecutive cup-final defeat to PSV Eindhoven following a 2-1 loss in Sunday's KNVB-Beker final at De Kuip.

Erik ten Hag's men opened the scoring midway through the first half through Ryan Gravenberch before second-half goals from Erick Gutierrez and Cody Gakpo turned the game on its head.

Prior to that, De Godenzonen saw off the threat of Sparta Rotterdam in a narrow 2-1 triumph and remain four points clear at the top with five games left to play.

The Dutch giants now resume their title charge against an opposing side yet to win any of the last 24 meetings between the sides all the way back to 2006.

Saturday's visitors have conceded the fewest number of goals away from home (seven) in the entire division so far, while only Feyenoord have found the back of the net on more occasions.

NEC saw their two-game unbeaten streak come to an end last time out following a 2-0 defeat to FC Twente two Saturdays ago.

Virgil Misidjan broke the deadlock 20 minutes into the second half after which Dimitrios Limnios scored the clincher to sink Rogier Meijer's men in Nijmegen.

Consequently, the Eniesee have slipped into the second half of the league table but are only just a point shy of Go Ahead Eagles in ninth.

Having failed to win any of their last 10 home games since October, Saturday's hosts will be keen to come out on top this weekend and give the fans reason to cheer.

NEC Eredivisie form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L

Ajax Eredivisie form:
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Ajax form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L



Team News

Ajax Amsterdam's Dusan Tadic celebrates scoring their first goal with Steven Berghuis on February 23, 2022© Reuters

Zakaria Labyad and Sean Klaiber continue to nurse knee injuries and will not play any part in this one.

Ajax will also have to make do with the absence of the Brazilian Antony, who is ruled out with an ankle problem.

Nicolas Tagliafico missed the defeat to PSV due to a knock, but the Argentine is expected to be back in the matchday squad.

Twenty-year-old Ali Akman is suspended for Saturday's game having received his marching orders against Twente last time out.

Forward Pedro Ruiz recently underwent knee surgery and remains unavailable for NEC alongside Edgar Barreto.

NEC possible starting lineup:
Branderhorst; Marquez, Guth, Odenthal; El Karouani, Bruijn, Schone, Van Rooy; Tavsan, Mattsson, Okita

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


SM words green background

We say: NEC 0-4 Ajax

With only the league title left to play for, Ajax can turn fully their attention to securing a 36th domestic crown. We are tipping them to cruise to a comfortable victory in this one, scoring plenty of goals en route.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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How you voted: NEC vs Ajax

NEC
0.0%
Draw
5.3%
Ajax
94.7%
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Ajax30243386157175
2PSV EindhovenPSV30232575354071
3Feyenoord30204669294064
4FC Twente30187548331561
5AZ AlkmaarAZ30184858362258
6Vitesse30135123545-1044
7FC UtrechtUtrecht30119104740742
8Groningen3099123744-736
9Go Ahead Eagles30106143544-936
10NEC3098133547-1235
11Heerenveen3097142940-1134
12Heracles3096153141-1033
13Cambuur30103174563-1833
14Fortuna SittardSittard3085173161-3029
15RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk30610143148-1728
16PEC Zwolle3075182444-2026
17Willem II3075182452-2826
18Sparta RotterdamSparta30510152245-2325

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