FC Groningen vs Ajax Amsterdam Prediction: A Match Where Pride Clashes With Hope!

FC Groningen welcome Ajax Amsterdam at the Euroborg in the 32nd round of the Eredivisie.

Ajax Amsterdam will be leaning on hope to conclude the season on a high note as they have their eyes set on a second-place finish. Will they be able to keep their hopes alive by claiming a comfortable win away from home, or will they stumble to yet another unfavorable outcome?

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

FC Groningen

Form: DLLLL

Trots van het Noorden made the trip to De Adelaarshorst to lock horns with Go Ahead Eagles in what was an equally important match of their lives in their fight for survival in the top flight, but their hopes they were leaning on in that match were trampled on as they played out a 1:1 draw to share the spoils despite taking the lead in the opening 6 minutes of the first half courtesy of exceptional Ricardo Pepi's goal.

Prior to that, their fans were left discontented by their performance at home against NEC Nijmegen, as they dropped crucial three points in a 1:0 defeat, mainly owing to their lack of efficiency in front of goal, which was unfortunately their undoing.

There haven't been any comforts to be witnessed when playing at home at the Euroborg as they have lost three consecutive matches, and taking a look at their last nine matches, they have only won one match against Excelsior Rotterdam (3:0) while recording six losses and two draws, and that has undoubtedly seen them in poor form at home, which will be an arduous task for them to record a resounding outcome in this encounter.

What was assumed to be mid-table mediocrity for them at the start of the season has unfortunately turned into a relegation nightmare as their 23-year presence in the Eredivisie has come tumbling down as they are now officially relegated from the top flight as they presently occupy 17th place with 18 points, making them 10 points adrift from safety with two games left to play.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-5-1

Leeuwenburgh; Schreuders, Balker, Sorensen, Musampa; Antman, Suslov, Hove, Valente, Maatta; Pepi

Ajax Amsterdam

Form: DLWWD

The Sons of the Gods dished out a less than satisfactory performance at home in front of their fans in their recent match against AZ Alkmaar that saw them settle for a less appealing result that saw them share the spoils in a scoreless draw.

Prior to that, they missed out on the opportunity to add to their trophy cabinet their 21st KNVB Cup as they were defeated by Ruud van Nistelrooy's charges, PSV Eindhoven, losing 4:3 on penalties after playing out a 1:1 draw at De Kuip. The last time they won the KNVB Bekker was back in 2020/21 against Vitesse, which saw them run out 2:1 winners.

Away from home, their form has been pretty decent, as they have accumulated 31 points from nine wins, two losses, and four draws, and though their 10-match unbeaten run was put to an end by a 3:0 defeat against PSV Eindhoven, getting back to winning ways will be at the top of the list.

They presently occupy third place with 63 points, and their efforts to finish in first place this season have unfortunately been stripped down to the bare minimum as they are way behind by 10 points with two games left to play. All they can hope for is a second-place finish, which also seems unlikely at this point as they are faced with a five-point deficit.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Rulli; Rensch, Timber, Alvarez, Hato; Klaassen, Taylor; Kudus, Tadic, Bergwijn; Brobbey

Match Facts

• Ajax Amsterdam are currently on a four-match winning streak when playing against FC Groningen.
• FC Groningen have yet to keep a clean sheet in their last nine games across all competitions.
• FC Groningen averages 1.2 goals per game when playing at home, and Ajax Amsterdam averages 2.33 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 59 meetings, FC Groningen have won 8 times, Ajax Amsterdam have won 44 times, and there have been 7 draws, with the goal difference being 139-60 in favor of Ajax Amsterdam.

Expert Betting Tips

There's no denying that Ajax Amsterdam have endured a frustrating season that has left them on the brink of missing out on the Champions League qualifiers spot for the first time in 13 seasons; however, the blame can't fall on Johnny Heitinga, who has without a shadow of a doubt succeeded Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag's successor Alfred Schreuder by a mile, making the root of the problem the lack of willingness from his team to perform to their best of capabilities.

This time there'll be no room for excuses from them to not record a straightforward win against FC Groningen on the road, who will see off the remainder of matches with little to no importance at all as they have nothing to play for. As such, pick Ajax Amsterdam to win comfortably in the Asian handicap of -2.0.

• Asian Handicap - Ajax Amsterdam -2.0 for 2.05
• Corners - Over 10.5 for 1.70
• Both Teams To Score - No for 1.85