Ajax Amsterdam vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction: Evangélos Pavlídis Hungry For Goals

Ajax Amsterdam will welcome AZ Alkmaar to the Johan Cruijff ArenA in the eighth round of the Eredivisie.

Ajax Amsterdam will look to get the ball rolling with a convincing win in front of their fans after a not-so-convincing display in the Europa League group stage campaign against AEK Athens. Will Ajax Amsterdam be able to walk away with a win in this clash against a side they have failed to defeat in their last three matches?

Let's have a look at the latest Netherlands Eredivisie predictions between Ajax Amsterdam vs. AZ Alkmaar, probable lineups, match facts and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Ajax Amsterdam

Form: LLDDW

Ajax Amsterdam had to settle for a point in a 3-3 draw against Marseille on the first match day of the Europa League group stage campaign about two weeks ago. The same was the case on the second match day as they blew a one-goal lead to be held to a 1-1 draw away from home against AEK Athens on Thursday.

Their most recent match in the league against RKC Waalwijk away from home was cut short due to a collision between Brian Brobbey and the host's goalkeeper, Etienne Vaessen, in the 84th minute. Despite leading 3-2 in the final stages of the game, no points were awarded to the Dutch giants as the match was suspended.

With on- and off-field matters escalating, Maurice Steijn's men currently find themselves in a crisis as they have yet to impress since the start of the new Eredivisie campaign. Despite signing 12 new players to strengthen the squad, they have yet to gel, and this has seen them record the worst start to the Eredivisie season since 1965. They have won one of their five matches so far, along with two draws and two losses.

They currently occupy 15th place with 5 points in the standings, although they have played fewer games than any other team in the league. Their aspirations for a tenth-place finish are hindered by a three-point deficit.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-3

J. Gorter; J. Hato, G. Avila, J. Sutalo, D. Rensch; K. Taylor, B. Tahirovic, S. Berghuis; S. Bergwijn, B. Brobbey, C. Borges

AZ Alkmaar

Form: WDWWW

AZ Alkmaar, on the other hand, got their first win of the Europa League group stage campaign as they defeated Legia Warszawa 1-0 at home courtesy of a Vangelis Pavlidis goal in the 52nd minute, despite being at a numerical disadvantage for about 25 minutes.

Before that, they bounced back in fashionable style in the league as they handed Fortuna Sittard a 4-0 defeat in front of their own fans, and this comes after falling to pick up maximum points in their match against Heracles Almelo to be held to a 1-1 draw.

Having played three consecutive home matches across all competitions in succession, they now take to the road where they have been a force to be reckoned with winning four consecutive matches, a run that stretches to the previous season, and it's also worth mentioning that they are unbeaten in six while achieving five shutouts in the process, making them a side that should not be underestimated in this one.

They currently occupy second place with 19 points in the standings, one point ahead of third-placed FC Twente and two points behind first place.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-3

M. Ryan; Y. Sugawara, W. Goes, A. Penetra, D. Moller Wolfe; S. Mijnans, D. De Wit, J. Clasie; Lhado, V. Pavlidis, M. van Brederode

Match Facts

• Ajax Amsterdam are currently on a six-match winless run in all competitions.
• AZ Alkmaar have scored a goal in each of their seven matches played in the Eredivisie.
• Ajax Amsterdam averages 2 goals per game when playing at home, and AZ Alkmaar averages 2.67 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 62 meetings, Ajax Amsterdam have won 32 times, AZ Alkmaar have won 14 times, and there have been 16 draws, with the goal difference being 127-72 in favor of Ajax Amsterdam.

Expert Betting Tips

Ajax Amsterdam have been a complete disaster this season, and trusting them to step up to the plate in this one against a side that has shown some impressive display in their matches could bear dire consequences at the end. The Dutch giants have dropped points in four league matches and should find picking up maximum points here an arduous task.

AZ Alkmaar have established themselves as title contenders this season and are relentlessly putting pressure on early pacers PSV Eindhoven. The Cheeseheads have avoided defeat in their last three matches when playing against Ajax Amsterdam, picking up two draws and a win. They will hope to extend that unbeaten run to four matches where they will be content with a point.

While this is expected to be a tightly contested affair where it's hard to predict a winner, we will be siding with the visitors in the anytime goalscorer market, where Vangelis Pavlidis has certainly got our attention as we expect to see his name on the score sheet. Pavlidis has scored nine goals in seven league matches, and having steered his side to a win on the continental stage, we feel that his momentum should see him breach an Ajax Amsterdam defense that has been suspect as of late.

• Anytime Goalscorer - Evangélos Pavlídis for 2.87
• 2X for 1.68
• 1st Goal - AZ Alkmaar for 2.03