Ajaxvs.NAC Breda

The hosts are nine points clear of the defending champions PSV Eindhoven at the top of the standings, while the visitors are on 30 points, six ahead of the bottom three.

Match preview

Ajax have their league title fate in their own hands now after extending their lead at the summit of the league standings to nine points last week when they beat the reigning champs 2-0 at the Philips Stadion.

Despite a barrage of pressure by the Boeren, Ajax made the most of the opportunities they created, netting two of their three attempts on target, with Davy Klaassen and Bertrand Traore scoring a goal in each half.

With that result, de Godenzonen extended their unbeaten run in the top flight to 12 matches, including 11 wins and just one draw, while it was also the sixth clean sheet they kept in their last seven league matches.

The hosts will be confident in their chances of extending their unbeaten run this week too, as they have yet to taste defeat at the Johan Cruijff ArenA this season, winning 11 and drawing just two of their 13 home games to date.

Up next for Francesco Farioli's side is NAC, and the Italian manager will be determined to get his revenge in this match, as this is one of only two teams in the division to beat Ajax this season, doing so by a 2-1 scoreline back in August.

Meanwhile, with Sparta Rotterdam and PEC Zwolle both winning their matches after the international break, a loss for NAC Breda here could see them end the weekend down in 15th place.

Last week, the Pearl of the South managed to salvage a last-gasp 1-1 draw thanks to a stoppage-time penalty away to Groningen, who ended the game with 10 men after Tika de Jonge was sent off.

While the point was better than a defeat, the result still extended Carl Hoefkens's side's dismal winless run to eight games, dating back to a 2-1 victory at home against FC Twente at the end of January.

The visitors have the opportunity to do the league double over Ajax for the first time since the 2009-10 season this weekend, but they have failed to win any of their last five away games (W0 D1 L4) and conceded 12 goals during that period.

Ajax Eredivisie form:

W

W

W

W

D

W

NAC Breda Eredivisie form:

L

D

L

D

D

D

Team News

Ajax will be missing two players due to suspension, with Anton Gaaei still serving time for his straight red against AZ Alkmaar before the international break, while Brian Brobbey will serve a one-match ban after receiving his fifth yellow last week.

With Brobbey now unavailable and Wout Weghorst sidelined through injury, Oliver Edvardsen could be given the nod to lead the line from the start this week, and he will be hoping to add to his three-goal tally since arriving in the winter window.

NAC Breda, on the other hand, will be able to welcome Leo Greiml back to the squad this week, with the centre-back having now served his suspension for the red card he was shown against Sparta Rotterdam.

Therefore, the visitors are only expected to have two confirmed absentees for this match in Maxime Busi and Raul Paula, both of whom are not expected to return from injury until later this month.

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Lima; Rosa, Sutalo, Rugani, Hato; Klaassen, Henderson, Taylor; Godts, Edvardsen, Traore

NAC Breda possible starting lineup:

Bielica; Valerius, Mahmutovic, Van den Bergh, Kemper; Balard, Leemans; Lucassen, Sauer, Sowah; Van Hooijdonk

We say: Ajax 2-0 NAC Breda

Ajax have been on a tear in the Eredivisie since the start of the year, and they will be brimming with confidence coming into this match off the back of a crucial victory over PSV last week.

The hosts are unbeaten at home this season with 11 wins and just two draws in 13, and we feel they will extend that record with another comfortable victory in this one.

Written by

Devesh Jaganath

Previews by email