FC Twente and Ajax bring their 2022-23 Eredivisie campaigns to an end when they go head to head at the Grolsch Veste Stadium on Sunday.
While the Tukkers will be playing for pride, the visitors will be hoping for a late twist as they look to leapfrog PSV Eindhoven into the Champions League qualifying spot.
Match preview
© Reuters
Following a fourth-placed finish last term, Twente will feel satisfied with their performance this season as they have guaranteed a spot in the European competition playoffs.
Ron Jans's men picked up their biggest win this season as they steamrolled Waalwijk 5-0 when the sides squared off at the Mandemakers Stadion last Saturday.
In a one-sided affair, Gijs Smal, Manfred Ugalde, Ramiz Zerrouki, Michal Sadilek and Julio Pleguezuelo all found the back of the net to cap off a superb team display.
Twente have now won their last three matches, seeing off Emmen, Nijmegen and Waalwijk, while scoring a staggering 12 goals and keeping three clean sheets since April's 3-3 draw with Sparta Rotterdam.
The Tukkers have now picked up 17 wins and 10 draws in their 33 matches to collect 61 points and sit fifth in the Eredivisie table, five points above sixth-placed Sparta Rotterdam.
Twente's impressive top-flight campaign has been down to their performances at home, where they are one of just two sides yet to suffer defeat this season and currently boast the division's second-best point tally (40).
© Reuters
In what has been a disappointing campaign, Ajax ensured that their race for the Champions League qualifiers goes down to the wire as they picked up a 3-1 victory over Utrecht last weekend.
After Anastasios Douvikas scored to cancel out Steven Bergwijn's 20th-minute opener, Brian Brobbey and Davy Klaassen scored second-half goals at the Johan Cruijff Arena.
Prior to that, Ajax went on a three-match winless run, picking up one draw and losing twice — including their penalty-shootout defeat to PSV Eindhoven in April's KNVB Beker final — before picking up a 3-2 win at Groningen on May 14.
Johnny Heitinga's men are currently third in the league standings, two points above AZ Alkmaar and three behind second-placed PSV in the Champions League playoff spot.
Given their slightly superior goal difference, Ajax could finish in the top two should they pick up all three points this weekend and PSV lose in their season finale against AZ Alkmaar.
Team News
© Reuters
Twente will finish the season without 20-year-old midfielder Max Bruns, who has missed the last five matches after coming off with an ankle injury against Cambuur on April 9.
Robin Propper missed last week's visit to Waalwijk through a one-game suspension but should return to the XI this Sunday, forming the back four with Joshua Brenet, Pleguezuelo and Smal.
As for Ajax, Heitinga will be unable to call upon the midfield duo of Steven Berghuis and Kian Fitz-Jim, who have been sidelined through muscle and ankle injuries respectively.
Ahmetcan Kaplan is yet to feature for de Godenzonen this year as he continues his long road back from a knee problem, while Chico Conceicao has missed the last two matches through injury.
FC Twente possible starting lineup:
Unnerstall; Brenet, Pleguezuelo, Propper, Smal; Vlap, Sadilek, Zerrouki; Cerny; Van Wolfswinkel, Misidjan
Ajax possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Rensch, Timber, Hato, Wijndal; Taylor, Alvarez; Bergwijn. Tadic, Kudus; Brobbey
We say: FC Twente 0-2 Ajax
While Twente have nothing to play for, Ajax's European ambitions potentially hinge on Sunday's result. Heitinga's side cannot afford a slip-up this weekend and we fancy them to claim all three points in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
