Eredivisie | Gameweek 17

Dec 22, 2024 at 11.15am UK

Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel

Sparta Rotterdam vs Ajax

Match preview

After finishing in the top eight in the last two seasons, Sparta Rotterdam have fallen from grace this term and currently sit in the bottom three with just 12 points at the halfway stage.

Last weekend, De Kasteelheren looked to be on course for all three points when they took a 1-0 lead against NEC in the 84th minute, but an injury-time goal from Ivan Marquez denied them victory and left them without a win for the 10th time in the league.

It was also their sixth draw of the season - the most of any team in the league - and their first point since 19 October, when they were held to a 2-2 draw by basement club Almere City.

Unfortunately for Sparta, they also suffered disappointment in midweek when they lost to Go Ahead Eagles on penalties to end their KNVB Beker campaign in the second round of the competition.

Maurice Steijn is yet to taste victory in six games in his second spell in charge of the club, and things are not going to get any easier this week against his former side, who are in the thick of the title race.

Indeed, Ajax closed the gap on leaders PSV Eindhoven to six points last week when the defending champions suffered a shock 1-0 defeat away to Heerenveen.

De Godenzonen beat Almere City 3-0 in their last outing to move back into second place, thanks to Utrecht's six-goal thriller at home to Go Ahead Eagles.

The result takes Ajax's tally this season to 35 goals - second only to PSV - and they have only failed to score twice or more in five of their 16 league games this term.

Francesco Farioli's side will be looking to end the year on a high after beating Telstar in the domestic cup in midweek, while the new coach has only lost twice in the league since taking charge.

Recent Performance

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:LLLLLD

Sparta Rotterdam form (all competitions):LLLLDL

Ajax Eredivisie form:DWWDLW

Ajax form (all competitions):WDLLWW

Team News

The hosts will be without Mike Eerdhuijzen through suspension after the centre-back picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against NEC last week.

Jonathan de Guzman is out for the foreseeable future after undergoing knee surgery, but Pelle Clement and Joshua Kitolano have both recovered from knocks and should be available.

Brian Brobbey and Bertrand Traore both started for Ajax in their midweek cup win over Telstar, but Farioli is likely to recall Wout Weghorst and Chuba Akpom for this game.

The visitors are still without long-term absentee Gaston Avila, who is working his way back to fitness following surgery, while Benjamin Tahirovic remains sidelined as he continues his concussion protocol.

Possible starting lineup

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Olij; Bakari, Young, Reith, Van Aanholt; Baas, Kitolano; Clement, Verschueren, Mito; Lauritsen

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Pasveer; Rensch, Rugani, Baas, Wijndal; Fitz-Jim, Henderson, Klaassen; Akpom, Weghorst, Taylor