MX23RW : Tuesday, February 2 11:39:37| >> :600:227865:227865:
Dec 23, 2020 at 5.45pm UK at Koning Willem II Stadion
Willem IIWillem II
1-1
AjaxAjax
FT(HT: 0-1)
Antony (4')
Antony (66')

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

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Eredivisie clash between Willem II and Ajax, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Willem II will host Ajax on Wednesday, with the hosts hoping to bounce back from their 5-3 loss against AZ last weekend.

Ajax, meanwhile, were able to extend their lead at the top of the Eredivisie table following their 4-2 win against ADO Den Haag on Sunday, as both sides took part in high-scoring games during their latest league fixtures.


Match preview

Adrie Koster, now in charge of Willem II, pictured in 2011© Reuters

Willem have endured a hugely disappointing start to the 2020-21 season, with the club currently sitting in the relegation playoffs, having picked up just eight points thus far.

As previously mentioned, their latest league result ended in an eight-goal thriller against AZ, suffering their fourth defeat on the bounce.

However, fans may feel some slight encouragement to know that their only two victories this season have come at home, including their 2-1 triumph against VVV-Venlo last month.

If Adrie Koster can secure an unlikely win against his former club, Willem could climb to 14th spot in the table, overtaking both VVV and Fortuna Sittard.

Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Ajax, on the other hand, claimed back-to-back wins in the Eredivisie to maintain their place at the top of the table, with Erik ten Hag's men currently three points ahead of PSV Eindhoven.

Their recent 4-2 win against Den Haag featured goals from Dusan Tadic, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Zakaria Labyad, before their opponents were able to get two past Ajax in the second half.

The Amsterdam outfit have now won each of their last four away games in the league, scoring an impressive 25 goals and conceding only twice.

In fact, Ajax have only lost on two occasions this season, including their narrow 2-1 defeat against FC Twente earlier this month.

In terms of their head to head record, Ajax have won eight of their previous 10 meetings against Willem in all competitions. However, their previous encounter witnessed a 2-0 victory by Koster's men, featuring goals from Mike Tresor Ndayishimiye and Damil Dankerlui.

Willem II Eredivisie form: LLLLWL
Willem II form (all competitions): LLLLLW

Ajax Eredivisie form: WWLWWW
Ajax form (all competitions): WWWLLL


Team News

Ajax players celebrate scoring against FC Midtjylland on November 25, 2020© Reuters

Willem supporters will be pleased to know that they have only one injury concern for Wednesday's game, with Dries Saddiki currently a doubt for the match against Ajax.

However, Elton Kabangu is now back in training, after the Belgian underwent his isolation period due to COVID-19.

Ajax have a few more injury problems, as both David Neres and Lassina Traore are expected to miss the upcoming match.

Quinten Timber could also miss the game through illness, leaving Ten Hag with limited options for their next league fixture.

Mohammed Kudus is back in training, however this match could come too early for the midfielder.

Willem II possible starting lineup:
Ruiter; Owusu, Van der Heijden, Peters, Kohn; Saglam, Llonch; Nunnely, Ndayishimiye, Kohlert; Pavlidis

Ajax possible starting lineup:
Onana; Klaiber, Schuurs, Blind, Tagliafico; Klaassen, Labyad, Gravenberch; Antony, Huntelaar, Tadic


SM words green background

We say: Willem II 1-3 Ajax

Ajax should be able to pick up a comfortable win on Wednesday, with the reigning champions now back to winning ways, despite conceding two goals against Den Haag in their previous game. Meanwhile, Willem are currently struggling in 16th place, so it is highly unlikely they will be able to claim a good result against the current leaders.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win 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.Away Win:data


ID:427545:cQx

How you voted: Willem II vs Ajax

Willem II
4.0%
Draw
4.0%
Ajax
92.0%
25
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Feyenoord head coach Dick Advocaat pictured on November 5, 2020
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Sunday's Eredivisie predictions including Vitesse vs. Feyenoord
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Ajax20162266155150
2PSV EindhovenPSV20134346222443
3Vitesse20133434181642
4Feyenoord20115437201738
5AZ AlkmaarAZ20107344311337
6Groningen2010462823534
7FC Twente208663325830
8FC UtrechtUtrecht2061042727028
9Heerenveen206862827126
10Heracles207492330-725
11Fortuna SittardSittard207493139-825
12Sparta RotterdamSparta206592932-323
13PEC Zwolle2041062532-722
14VVV-VenloVVV-Venlo2064103449-1522
15RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk2036111734-1715
16Willem II2034132442-1813
17ADO Den HaagADO Den Haag2026121745-2812
18EmmenEmmen2006141749-326

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