Eredivisie | Gameweek 5

Dec 4, 2024 at 7pm UK

Amsterdam ArenA

Ajaxvs.Utrecht

Match preview

Ajax bounced back from losing to Real Sociedad in the Europa League with a win against NEC at the weekend. This saw them leapfrog their upcoming opponents into second place in the league standings.

It wasn't an easy win for Ajax on the road. They went a goal down inside the first 15 minutes but showed their resilience to come back and win 2-1, thanks to a brace from Wout Weghorst.

That result has now taken Francesco Farioli's side to a record of 11 league games unbeaten (W9 D2 L0), while the new boss has still only suffered one top-flight defeat since taking charge of the club at the start of the season.

It's worth mentioning that Ajax have now scored two or more goals in each of their last five league games. They've only failed to do so in three of their 13 league matches this season.

The hosts have been on a winning streak at the Johan Cruijff Arena this season, taking all six of their matches there. They also beat this opponent 2-0 at this venue when they met last season.

Utrecht have also been doing well this season, but they had a reality check over the weekend when they were beaten 5-2 at home by PSV.

Utrecht were doing well in that game and went into half-time level at 1-1, but Ajax scored three goals in the space of 20 minutes after the break and were already out of sight before Siebe Horemans scored a late consolation.

That result also brought the team's total number of goals conceded to 17 this season, which is the highest of any of the top six teams in the division and the third-highest in the top half of the table so far.

Even so, that was only the second defeat that Ron Jans's side have conceded this season – and neither of those were away games. The team are currently on a five-game winning streak away from home and have not lost any of their last nine games, going back to the end of March.

Recent Performance

Ajax Eredivisie form:

WWWDWW

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:

WLWWWL

Team News

Brian Brobbey and Mika Godts both missed the weekend's win against NEC, which meant Weghorst started the match. He did well, so he'll probably lead the line again midweek.

The hosts will be without Gaston Avila, who is still recovering from knee surgery, and Sivert Mannsverk and Amourricho Van Axel-Dongen, who are still recovering from ankle injuries.

Utrecht are likely to be without four players for this match, including their young goalkeeper Kevin Gadellaam, who also had knee surgery this year and is out for the foreseeable future.

Alonzo Engwanda and Kolbeinn Finnsson have been out for nine and three games respectively due to injury and it's unlikely they'll be back this year. Can Bozdogan (ankle) is also a major doubt.

Possible starting lineup

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Pasveer; Rensch, Sutalo, Kaplan, Hato; Van den Boomen, Klaassen, Taylor; Hlynsson, Weghorst, Berghuis

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; Horemans, Didden, Viergever, El Karouani; Fraulo, Jensen, Aaronson; Rodriguez, Descotte, Cathline