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Ajax
Eredivisie | Gameweek 17
Jan 17, 2021 at 3.45pm UK
Amsterdam Arena
Feyenoord

Ajax
1 - 0
Feyenoord

FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Ajax vs. Feyenoord - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Eredivisie clash between Ajax and Feyenoord, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Ajax play host to Feyenoord on Sunday as the current top two sides in the Eredivisie table go head-to-head against each other for the first time this season.

Both teams picked up crucial victories in midweek, with Feyenoord claiming a 1-0 win over PEC Zwolle on Wednesday, while Ajax saw off Twente in a 3-1 triumph on Thursday.


Match preview

Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Ajax were on the cusp of dropping points to Twente for the second time this season, but Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's brace off the bench ensured that the league leaders walked away with all three points.

Erik ten Hag's men are now unbeaten in their last five league games, since losing 2-1 at home to Thursday's opponents in December.

De Godenzonen's latest win keeps them three points above their nearest challengers, ahead of Sunday's meeting at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

With 57 goals in 16 games, Ajax have the league's fiercest attack, but they will be going up against a side who alongside Vitesse, possesses the league's meanest defence having conceded only 12 goals.

Something definitely has to give as unstoppable force meets immovable object in what could be a real decider as to who will be crowned champions come May.

Feyenoord made it three wins on the trot courtesy of a Luis Sinisterra strike midway through the second half, 20 minutes after he had come on for Bryan Linssen at half time.

Dick Advocaat's men are one of only three sides to have recorded consecutive victories since the turn of the year, and they have displayed their title credentials on numerous occasions this term.

Should they manage to defeat Ajax and go level on points with them, the chances of a first league title since 2017 would receive a huge boost.

Dutch winger Steven Berghuis has been involved in half of De Stadionclub's 32 league goals so far, having scored 10 and assisted six.

He remains of the few survivors from the title-winning side of four years ago, so he needs no further motivation to deliver another domestic crown at De Kuip.

Ajax Eredivisie form: LWWDDW
Ajax form (all competitions): WWWDDW

Feyenoord Eredivisie form: DWLWWW
Feyenoord form (all competitions): LWLWWW


Team News

Feyenoord manager Dick Advocaat pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Sebastien Haller has settled in nicely since his record move from West Ham, and he is expected to get the nod over Zakaria Labyad for this one.

Since damaging his thigh against Twente last December, Lassina Traore has been on the sidelines and will not be involved on Sunday.

Lucas Pratto has started consecutive league games since his loan move from River Plate, but he is likely to make way for Nicolai Jorgensen this time.

Feyenoord's Robert Bozenik has returned to training after he had been kept out of action by an ankle injury, but he will not be rushed into action just yet.

Ajax possible starting lineup:
Onana; Tagliafico, Schuurs, Blind, Mazraoui; Klaassen, Gravenberch, Tadic; Promes, Haller, Antony

Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Marsman; Geertruida, Spajic, Senesi, Malacia; Toornstra, Fer, Diemers; Berghuis, Jorgensen, Linssen


SM words green background

We say: Ajax 2-1 Feyenoord

This will certainly be a tough game for both sides, but Ajax are the superior team and, coupled with the fact that they are playing at home, we expect them to come out on top.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Ajax win with a probability of 56.44%. A win for Feyenoord had a probability of 23.73% and a draw had a probability of 19.8%.

The most likely scoreline for an Ajax win was 2-1 with a probability of 9.05%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 3-1 (6.9%) and 2-0 (6.26%). The likeliest Feyenoord win was 1-2 (5.72%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (7.91%). The actual scoreline of 1-0 was predicted with a 5.5% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Ajax would win this match.


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Game History

How you voted: Ajax vs Feyenoord

Ajax
65.3%
Draw
18.4%
Feyenoord
16.3%
49
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Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag pictured in October 2020
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1PSV EindhovenPSV1312014593636
2FC UtrechtUtrecht12101122121031
3Ajax1292127111629
4Feyenoord1384131131828
5FC Twente1374226121425
6AZ AlkmaarAZ1362525151020
7Go Ahead Eagles135351820-218
8Fortuna SittardSittard135261418-417
9NECNijmegen135172012816
10Willem II134451514116
11NAC BredaNAC Breda135171423-916
12Heerenveen134271326-1314
13Heracles133461425-1113
14PEC Zwolle133371424-1012
15Groningen133371224-1212
16Sparta RotterdamSparta132561320-711
17Almere CityAlmere City13139630-246
18RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk1312101233-215


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