KNVB Beker | Second Round

Dec 19, 2024 at 8pm UK

Johan Cruijff Arena

Ajax vs Telstar

Match preview

Ajax will head into the domestic cup competition on a high after moving back into the top two in the Eredivisie last week, leapfrogging Utrecht with a 3-0 win over lowly Almere City.

The result not only moved de Godenzonen up a place in the standings, but also reduced the gap to six points on leaders PSV, who suffered a shock 1-0 away defeat to Heerenveen at the weekend.

Francesco Farioli will now get his first taste of the KNVB Beker as his side, along with PSV, AZ and Feyenoord, were exempted from the first round due to their participation in European football.

Last season, Ajax were knocked out of the competition at this stage after losing to the Boeren in the final of the previous two seasons following their 2020-21 title triumph.

Unsurprisingly, the hosts will be overwhelming favourites in this fixture given their excellent home record this season, with only one defeat in 14 matches, 12 of which have ended in victory.

Meanwhile, Telstar are enjoying a progressive season in the Eerste Divisie and are up to 11th in the standings after a 3-0 home win over Helmond Sport last week.

Former Go Ahead Eagles striker Zakaria Eddahchouri scored a hat-trick in the win, taking his tally for the season to 14, three clear at the top of the league scoring charts.

The result also took the White Lions to 26 points at the halfway stage of the campaign, putting them on course to surpass the 35-point tally they amassed for the entirety of last season.

However, Anthony Correia's side have struggled for positive results away from home in recent times and are currently on a three-match losing streak, with just one win in their last eight away games (W1 D3 L4).

Recent Performance

Ajax form (all competitions):LWDLLW

Telstar form (all competitions):LWLDLW

Team News

With a three-day turnaround before the league clash with Sparta Rotterdam, Farioli is likely to make a few changes for the game, with Brian Brobbey and Steven Berghuis likely to return to the attack.

Anton Gaaei and Jorrel Hato were rested for the last match against Almere City and should start at the back, while Branco van den Boomen is likely to replace either Jordan Henderson or Davy Klaassen in midfield.

In terms of absentees, the hosts will be without Gaston Avila, who is still recovering from knee surgery, while Sivert Mannsverk and Amourricho Van Axel-Dongen will not return until the New Year.

For the visitors, midfielder Tyrone Owusu was forced off with a knock before half-time in the weekend win over Helmond Sport and is a big doubt for the match.

If Owusu is unable to return in time for this game, Suriname international Jayden Turfkruier is the most likely replacement, alongside Nils Rossen and Guus Offerhaus in the engine room.

Possible starting lineup

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Pasveer; Gaaei, Sutalo, Baas, Hato; Van den Boomen, Klaassen, Taylor; Berghuis, Brobbey, Traore

Telstar possible starting lineup:

Koeman; Harde, Apau, Koswal, Bakker; Rossen, Offerhaus, Turfkruier; El Kachati, Eddahchouri, Hamdaoui