Preview: Ajax vs. FC Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the home side sit five points adrift of second-placed PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie table, the visitors are in seventh after a two-match winning streak.

Match preview

On the same day that Feyenoord were celebrating their shock title triumph, Ajax were left increasingly frustrated with their current predicament having seen their game at Groningen abandoned after 10 minutes due to crowd trouble.

That led to Johnny Heitinga's team needing to refocus, now sitting behind fourth-placed AZ Alkmaar as they bid to achieve a Europa League spot as a bare minimum.

Heading into the final quarter of the hastily-rearranged fixture, Ajax found themselves level with their already-relegated hosts, but they rallied to secure a 3-2 victory which could prove important.

Realistically, overturning a five-point deficit to PSV Eindhoven with two games left is not achievable, leaving Heitinga and his squad to do everything possible to guarantee third.

Nevertheless, AZ play host to PSV next weekend, and a win on Sunday has the potential to create a number of beneficial scenarios for Ajax when they travel to FC Twente.

From the perspective of Utrecht, they are ending the season as one of the form teams in the division as they look to build momentum ahead of the playoffs for the final European spot.

Four wins have been posted from five games - the only defeat coming by a 3-1 scoreline at Feyenoord - and Michael Silberbauer will feel that sixth place is still a possibility even with Ajax on their schedule.

With 25 points from 16 matches, Utrecht possess one of the best away records in the division, just three points short of the total accumulated by PSV.

Ajax prevailed in the reverse fixture all the way back on August 28, yet Utrecht will feel the dethroned champions are there to be beaten when they face the prospect of having to settle for Europa Conference football if they fail to win either of their last two games.

Ajax Eredivisie form:

D

W

W

L

D

W

Ajax form (all competitions):

W

W

L

L

D

W

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:

D

W

W

L

W

W

Team News

Ajax boss Heitinga made some surprise positional changes last time out, using 17-year-old Jorrel Hato in central defence and Steven Bergwijn in a role behind the main striker.

While the switches proved effective, Heitinga may consider moving Hato to left-back, resulting in Edson Alvarez dropping into defence and Davy Klaassen coming into the midfield.

Netherlands international Steven Berghuis remains on the sidelines through injury, as does youngster Kian Fitz-Jim.

Silberbauer could name the same Utrecht XI which started the 2-0 win over RKC Waalwijk with Zakaria Labyad - who scored as a substitute in that game - having to settle for a spot among the replacements.

Amin Younes and Django Warmerdam are most likely to be available for Utrecht after injury issues.

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Rulli; Rensch, Timber, Alvarez, Hato; Klaassen, Taylor; Kudus, Bergwijn, Tadic; Brobbery

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; Klaiber, Van der Hoorn, Viergever, Maarel; Toornstra, Bozdogan; Boussaid, Van de Streek, Ramselaar; Douvikas

We say: Ajax 2-0 FC Utrecht

With Utrecht having built up a head of steam of late, this could prove to be a tricky encounter for Ajax when they are under pressure. However, rediscovering their goalscoring touch last time out can only benefit them, and we feel that the home side should run out the victors.

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