Ajax play host to Go Ahead Eagles on Thursday evening looking for the victory that will keep them in the hunt for fourth position in the Eredivisie standings.
However, the visitors make the trip to Amsterdam with the opportunity to move to within one point of their hosts with a win.
Match preview
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Having had two weeks to stew on Ajax dropping points against Fortuna Sittard and Sparta Rotterdam, interim head coach John van't Schip would have been aware of the importance of bouncing back at PEC Zwolle.
Fortunately for the Dutch giants, two goals inside the opening 24 minutes eased any nerves for the majority of the contest, even though it required a late third to confirm maximum points.
Ajax are now on a four-match unbeaten run with eight points being accumulated during that period, yet they have still lost ground on fourth-placed AZ Alkmaar.
An eight-point deficit with seven games left realistically leaves Ajax in a position where they may have to win all their remaining matches to avoid participating in the Europa Conference League playoff.
With a 10-point advantage over ninth, Ajax and Van't Schip are at least effectively assured of that ahead of a testing triple-header that also includes games with Feyenoord and Twente.
Opponents Go Ahead Eagles are enjoying one of their best campaigns in recent memory, even though they have lost three of their last five matches.
Rene Hake has worked wonders to turn Go Ahead Eagles into potential European qualifiers, albeit in the knowledge that they may have to oust Ajax in the aforementioned playoff.
On a positive note, though, Hake's side got back to winning ways at the weekend, running out 3-0 victors over Excelsior to strengthen their hold of seventh.
Their away form remains an issue, however. Although Go Ahead Eagles recently won three in a row on their travels, they have lost the last two, as well as scoring just 12 goals in 13 such matches.
Team News
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Van't Schip's team selections and formations have become increasingly difficult to predict as the season has progressed, but there should be some continuity here.
In the absence of the injured Brian Brobbey, Chuba Akpom made it three goals from two games with a double at PEC Zwolle, taking him to nine strikes in just 681 Eredivisie minutes this campaign.
Anton Gaaei and Borna Sosa may return at wing-back should Van't Schip wish to freshen up his team, but Jordan Henderson remains one of several players on the injury list.
Barring any injury issues, Hake appears likely to select the same Go Ahead Eagles side having not made any substitutions until his side were 2-0 up against Excelsior.
Victor Edvardsen is in contention to replace Thibo Baeten at the head of the attack, although Hake could have a fully-fit squad at his disposal.
Ajax possible starting lineup:
Ramaj; Rensch, Mannsverk, Hato; Hlynsson, Tahirovic, Van Boomen, Taylor; Godts, Bergwijn; Akpom
Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:
Lange; Deijl, Nauber, Kramer, Kuipers; Linthorst, Blomme; Adekanye, Willumsson, O. Edvardsen; V. Edvardsen
We say: Ajax 2-1 Go Ahead Eagles
With both clubs getting back to form at the weekend, this could prove to be an entertaining and competitive tussle. However, we feel that Ajax may just edge this contest, aware of the necessity of getting over the line in what feels like one of their most notable remaining matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
