Ajax Amsterdam vs Sparta Rotterdam Prediction: Expect Another High-scoring Affair At The Johan Cruijff ArenA

Ajax Amsterdam will welcome Sparta Rotterdam to the Johan Cruijff ArenA for their 22nd round of the Eredivisie.

Will Ajax Amsterdam be able to record their fourth consecutive victory, or will Sparta Rotterdam put an end to that streak?

Let's have a look at the latest Netherlands Eredivisie predictions between Ajax Amsterdam vs Sparta Rotterdam, team news, probable lineups, match facts and up to date betting odds for you to consider!

Ajax Amsterdam

Form: WWWDD

The Eredivisie giants faced a tough challenge in their first leg of the Europa League at home against Union Berlin, as they failed to put forth the dominant performance that they've been displaying in the Eredivisie, settling for a scoreless draw.

Prior to that, they came back from a goal down to cruise to a comfortable 3:1 win over RKC Waalwijk at home, thanks to goals from Brian Brobbey, Jurrien Timber, and Mohammed Kudus, which saw them bag all three points.

This has extended their winning streak in the Eredivisie to three games, while their unbeaten run is now at nine games, and they've been in solid form to say the least, picking up fifteen points in the process.

They are currently in third place with 43 points, three points behind a first-place finish, and thanks to their attacking prowess, they could displace table leaders Feyenoord due to a significant goal differential in their favor.

Team News

Ajax Amsterdam will be without Ahmetcan Kaplan and Youri Baas due to injury, but John Heitinga has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Rulli; Rensch, Timber, Bassey, Wijndal; Klaassen, Taylor; Berghuis, Tadic, Conceicao; Brobbery

Sparta Rotterdam

Form: WDDDW

De Kasteelheren are coming off a 2:1 victory at home against Go Ahead Eagles, in which Vito van Crooij broke the deadlock in the first four minutes and held on to their lead until the second half, when they gave their opponent something to hope for by giving up their lead in the 53rd minute, but that raging fire was put out five minutes later when Tobias Lauritsen restored his side's lead, which they held on to until the final whistle.

Prior to that, they were held to a scoreless draw on the road by Fortuna Sittard, and this was their third straight draw after failing to be a little more creative with their approach against NEC Nijmegen and RKC Waalwijk despite having a clear advantage.

They have 9 points from two wins and three draws in their last five matches and will feel disappointed because those draws recorded were their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure a comfortable three points, as they now get to take on a dominant Ajax Amsterdam that served them a 1:0 defeat at home.

They are currently in sixth place with 37 points, four points ahead of seventh-place FC Utrecht, and can only hope to consolidate their position in the meantime as their bid for a fifth-place finish is hampered by a goal differential.

Team News

Sparta Rotterdam has no major injury concerns ahead of this match, with Bart Vriends being the only one.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Olij; Sambo; Abels; Auassar; Meijers; Kitolano; Guzman; Namli; Verschueren; Van Crooij; Lauritsen

Match Facts

• Sparta Rotterdam is currently undefeated in six matches.
• Sparta Rotterdam has not lost a game in its last five away matches.
• The average number of goals scored between Ajax Amsterdam and Sparta Rotterdam is 2.4.
• When playing at home, Ajax Amsterdam averages 2.54 goals per game, while Sparta Rotterdam averages 1.33 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 39 meetings, Ajax Amsterdam has won 31 times, Sparta Rotterdam has won five times, and there have been three draws, with Ajax Amsterdam winning by a goal difference of 117-38.

Expert Betting Tips

Ajax Amsterdam will undoubtedly look to extend their dominance in the Eredivisie by progressing further with the clear goal of finishing first, and this time around, a clinical approach will not be out of the question, making three points a given on home turf.

Sparta Rotterdam are definitely not to be underestimated here given their success in the last ten matches where they have not lost, which at this point cannot be ignored as they could prove to be a very competitive candidate in this encounter even though the bookies do not believe so.

Though Ajax Amsterdam has become accustomed to being favorites in every match, the over 2.5 goals in this scenario looks more appealing than taking them in the full-time market, as the total has gone over in four of their last seven meetings with Sparta Rotterdam.

• Goals - Over 3.5 for 2.14
• Handicap 1 -1.5 for 1.68
• Both Teams To Score (Yes) for 1.95