Preview: Ajax vs. NEC - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the defending champions begin the latest matchday three points adrift of top spot, NEC are ninth in the standings after two wins in a row of their own.

Match preview

Losing to Union Berlin in the last 32 of the Europa League has shown that Ajax are far from perfect under Johnny Heitinga, but that is not to say that the champions should not now be favourites to defend their Eredivisie crown.

Ajax have collected maximum points from each of their five league matches since Heitinga's promotion from the second-string, the latest of those wins being a hard-fought 2-1 triumph at Vitesse.

Just like they did against RKC Waalwijk last month, Ajax had to come from behind to ensure that they remain within three points of Feyenoord, who they play on March 19.

Ajax had things more their own way in the KNVB Beker quarter-finals in midweek, running out 3-0 victors over De Graafschap.

That brought an end a three-match streak of away fixtures, and Ajax return to the Johan Cruijff ArenA looking to post their third successive league win on familiar territory.

Although NEC head into this encounter having won just six matches in the Dutch top flight during 2022-23, two of those victories have come in succession.

Back-to-back 3-0 triumphs have been posted over Excelsior and FC Volendam, results which have put NEC 12 points clear of the bottom three.

Instead, Roger Meijer and his team can begin to look upwards and attempt to close the seven-point gap to seventh position.

While NEC have netted just nine times in 11 away league fixtures this term, Meijer's side recently scored four times away at Feyenoord in the KNVB Beker before losing on penalties.

Ajax Eredivisie form:

D

W

W

W

W

W

Ajax form (all competitions):

W

D

W

L

W

W

NEC Eredivisie form:

L

D

L

D

W

W

NEC form (all competitions):

D

L

L

D

W

W

Team News

Having made sweeping changes to his side for the KNVB Beker tie earlier this week, Heitinga should revert back to a similar Ajax XI to the one which started the Vitesse game.

Calvin Bassey is pushing for a return to the defence, although his inclusion may be dependent on whether Heitinga wants to move Edson Alvarez into midfield.

Despite netting in the cup fixture, Brian Brobbey is more likely to start this contest among the replacements.

Having scored as a substitute last weekend, NEC forward Pedro Marques will feel that he has put himself in line for a recall in the final third.

However, barring any fitness issues, Meijer is more likely to named an unchanged team after being able to rest key players during the final quarter versus Volendam.

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Rulli; Rensch, Timber, Alvarez, Wijndal; Berghuis, Taylor, Klaassen; Kudus, Tadic, Bergwijn

NEC possible starting lineup:

Cillessen; Van Rooij, Marquez, Sandler, Karouani; Schone, Proper, Tannane; Tavsan, Dimata, Mattsson

We say: Ajax 3-0 NEC

Having posted two 3-0 wins in succession, confidence will be oozing out of NEC ahead of the toughest fixture on their schedule. However, there is more chance of the visitors losing by that scoreline this week as Ajax continue to impress under Heitinga.

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