Round 28
Ajax Amsterdam vs Fortuna Sittard
Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
09.04.23 at 17:45
Following their success in the KNVB Cup semi-finals against bitter rivals Feyenoord, which they won 2:1, Ajax Amsterdam turn their attention to their domestic league duties, where they welcome Fortuna Sittard to the Johan Cruijff ArenA, hoping to close the significant 8-point gap for first place.
Will the Eredivisie heavyweights be able to secure all three points at home, or will they be subjected to another unexpected draw?
Let's have a look at the latest Netherlands Eredivisie predictions between Ajax Amsterdam vs Fortuna Sittard, team news, probable lineups, match facts and up to date betting odds for you to consider!
Claim Your Registration Bonus!Ajax Amsterdam
Form: DLWWW
After losing 3:2 at home to Feyenoord in the De Klassieker two weeks prior, Johnny's team knew that retribution would be the best course of action. This time, they had the greatest pleasure of defeating Feyenoord in the KNVB Cup semi-finals 2:1 to secure a spot in the finals of the competition, where PSV Eindhoven will be waiting patiently at De Kuip Stadium.
Prior to that, they were held to an unexpected scoreless draw on the road against the Go Ahead Eagles, forcing them to settle for a less ideal result due to their below-par performance in that game. This was the second time this season they had been held to a scoreless tie.
That draw was a deal breaker for them as a side striving to keep up with League leaders in the standings, and Johnny Heitinga will be expecting an immediate response from his team here to see off a less threatening Fortuna Sittard. They have seven wins, four draws, and two losses in their last 13 home games.
They are now in second position with 56 points, level on points with third-place PSV Eindhoven, and with the table becoming congested, they will most certainly want to avoid dropping any more points in their chase of a first-place finish.
Team News
Ajax Amsterdam will have to compete without regular long-term absentees Ahmetcan Kaplan and Christian Rasmussen.
Devyne Rensch and Steven Bergwijn remain doubtful.
Probable Starting XI
Formation: 4-3-2-1
Rulli; Sanchez, Timber, Alvarez, Baas; Berghuis, Taylor, Klaassen; Kudus, Brobbey; Tadic
Fortuna Sittard
Form: WLLWL
Fortuna Sittard managed to break free from the shackles of inconsistency that had been holding them down at the Offermans Joosten Stadion. Their disgruntled fans had lost what little faith they had left in them when playing at home as they had gone without a win in three games, recording two losses and a draw, but a recent 3:1 victory at home against relegation candidates FC Groningen would change all that.
While they were diverted from their course after suffering two straight defeats, there is no doubt that this victory has given their supporters some newfound hope that they will now be able to win two games in a row. In their last five games, they have recorded three losses and two victories for a total of 6 points, results that have appeared to be unsatisfactory even if they are brimming with confidence.
The Fortuna last defeated Ajax Amsterdam away from home in 1999, and since then, they have lost all seven of those away games, surrendering a whopping 32 goals in the process. Given that they have a W5 L6 D2 record on the road this season, it's safe to say that a convincing loss is just 90 minutes away.
They now hold 11th place with 32 points and a two-point lead over the Go Ahead Eagles in 12th place, which puts them four spots above the relegation zone.
Team News
Fortuna Sittard have no injury problems to be worried about ahead of this meeting, and Julio Velázquez is likely to pitch his strongest starting XI.
Probable Starting XI
Formation: 4-3-3
Pandur; Pinto, Guth, Siovas, Vita; Erdogan, Ozyakup, Bistrovic; Noslin, Cordoba, Gladon
Match Facts
- Ajax Amsterdam were once on a seven-game winning streak in the Eredivisie.
- In the previous 16 Eredivisie away games, Fortuna Sittard has kept three clean sheets.
- Ajax Amsterdam scores 2.85 goals per game at home, while Fortuna Sittard scores 1.31 goals per game away.
Head-To-Head
Ajax Amsterdam has won 16 of the last 22 matches, Fortuna Sittard has won four, and there have been two ties with a goal differential of 65-18 in favor of Ajax Amsterdam.
Expert Betting Tips
Ajax Amsterdam may have recently lost to Go Ahead Eagles, but that doesn't change the fact that they are still an unstoppable team that has displayed impressive play on both ends of the field. Johnny Heitinga will be hoping that his team wins this match with a decisive victory over a team they have dominated in past meetings.
While there is no value in backing them in the full-time market, backing them to win by an Asian handicap of -2.5 should be sufficient to surface as they have won 5 of their past 7 meetings against Fortuna Sittard by a difference of three goals, and such a trend is to be expected today as well.
- Handicap 1 (-2.5) for 2.00
- Goals - Over 3.5 for 1.71
- Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.80