Ajax will be looking to extend their undefeated start to the new Eredivisie campaign to three matches when they play Fortuna Sittard on Sunday.
While their hosts are also yet to lose a game and sit above their opponents in the standings, they have featured in one more fixture.
Match preview
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Given the upheaval over the summer, Ajax supporters can perhaps forgive their side for not making a perfect start to the season, yet they will not be particularly encouraged either.
Scrambling to salvage a draw at Excelsior and losing at home to Ludogorets Razgrad in the second leg of their Europa League playoff tie were not expected by the fanbase.
Nevertheless, on the flip side, Ajax have four points from two league matches and still managed to book their place in the group stages of European football's secondary competition.
The hope is that all of the new signings, led by the likes of Josip Sutalo and Chuba Akpom, will eventually settle to spearhead a bid to reclaim the league title.
Historically, a game with Sittard would be viewed as a likely Ajax victory, but they will need to give full respect to a team that are also yet to lose in the 2023-24 Eredivisie.
Having finished in 13th position last season, optimism would not necessarily have been high at Fortuna, particularly when starting the campaign at champions Feyenoord.
However, they earned an impressive goalless draw at De Kuip before going on to accumulate a further four points versus Almere City and Excelsior.
Avoiding a relegation battle will naturally be the priority for now, yet there are signs that they have reason to aim much higher, maybe even targeting a top-half finish come May.
Of the teams that have played three fixtures, Sittard share the best defensive record in the division alongside Feyenoord, and that may be put to the test on Sunday.
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Team News
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Having needed to battle for their share of the spoils at Excelsior, Danny Buijs will consider making changes to his Sittard starting lineup.
Menaour Belkheir came off the substitutes' bench to score his team's second equaliser and could feature on the flank in place of Oguzhan Ozyakup.
Remy Vita may also be preferred at left-back to Mitchell Dijks, but the rest of the side could stay the same.
With Mohammed Kudus having left for West Ham United and Davy Klaassen also on the brink of an exit, Kenneth Taylor could be included in the Ajax starting lineup.
Carlos Borges is pushing for an opportunity on one of the flanks, but Akpom will again miss out through injury.
Sutalo may make his debut in the centre of defence having gained regular football at Dinamo Zagreb up until August 19.
Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:
Pandur; Pinto, Guth, Slovas, Vita; Rosier, Duarte; Cordoba, Halilovic, Ozyakup; Noslin
Ajax possible starting lineup:
Gorter; Rensch, Sutalo, Hato, Salah-Eddine; Taylor, Tahirovic, Boomen; Forbs, Brobbey, Bergwijn
We say: Fortuna Sittard 0-2 Ajax
Having already secured a draw against Feyenoord this season, Sittard will fancy their chances of upsetting Ajax. However, the visitors are in need of kick-starting their domestic campaign, and we feel that they will do so with a hard-earned victory.
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Top tip
Darren Plant
