Feyenoord play host to Ajax on Sunday afternoon aware that only a victory will do if they wish to stay competitive in the Eredivisie title race.
At a time when the defending champions sit nine points adrift of PSV Eindhoven with six games remaining, Ajax are fifth in the standings, yet still with hope of overtaking fourth-placed AZ Alkmaar.
Match preview
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Having watched PSV lose their first game of the season last weekend, everything was set up for Feyenoord to keep the pressure on the long-time frontrunners.
With 10 goals being scored in three fixtures prior to their trip to bottom-placed FC Volendam, more of the same was expected, but Arne Slot's side delivered one of their most disappointing performances of the season.
Last year's champions were unable to break down their hosts, having to settle for a goalless draw that has enabled PSV to reopen their nine-point advantage.
Feyenoord do still remain on a lengthy unbeaten streak, recording 10 wins and four draws from their most recent 14 matches in the Dutch top flight.
However, they are realistically now playing to confirm second spot, with the gap over Twente still sitting at nine points after the third-placed side also failed to deliver maximum points in midweek.
Of the nine matches earlier this week, as many as five ended in draws, including Ajax's showdown with Go Ahead Eagles in Amsterdam.
AZ Alkmaar's incredible 5-0 defeat at the hands of Heracles opened the door for John van't Schip's side to significantly close the gap in the race for fourth.
Instead, Ajax conceded another late goal - a common trend this season - to draw 1-1 with their seventh-placed opponents, to only move seven points behind with six matches left.
Dropping more points has effectively left Ajax in a position where they realistically need maximum points at De Kuip when they have prevailed in just five of their 14 away fixtures in the league during 2023-24.
Team News
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If Slot makes any alterations to his Feyenoord XI, they will likely come in attack after they drew a blank at Volendam.
Bart Nieuwkoop could get the nod on the right flank ahead of Yankuba Minteh, as the winger has failed to contribute in his last two outings.
Santiago Gimenez has failed to add to his 21-goal tally in the last three games, yet he should keep his spot ahead of Ayase Ueda.
Meanwhile, Van't Schip is hopeful of having both Brian Brobbey and Chuba Akpom available for this contest, although neither are expected to last the 90 minutes.
Jordan Henderson and Steven Berghuis remain absent through injury, while Josip Sutalo and Branco van den Boomen will feel in contention for a recall.
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Wellenreuther; Geertruida, Beelen, Hancko, Lopez; Stengs, Wieffer, Timber; Nieuwkoop, Gimenez, Paixao
Ajax possible starting lineup:
Ramaj; Rensch, Kaplan, Hato; Gaaei, Tahirovic, Mannsverk, Taylor; Bergwijn, Godts; Brobbey
We say: Feyenoord 3-1 Ajax
With both teams not delivering as they would have hoped in midweek, it remains to be seen whether confidence has been knocked in either camp. Nevertheless, we still expect Feyenoord to come through this contest, in style too, with Ajax needing to throw caution to the wind.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
