Preview: De Graafschap vs. Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors got back to winning ways in their most recent outing, meanwhile, the hosts have won consecutive matches heading into this one.

Match preview

De Graafschap head into this match as the underdogs simply due to the fact that they play in the Eerste Divisie, but they have been in great form as of late.

Adrie Poldervaart's men have won two consecutive matches heading into this match, and even more impressively they have kept clean sheets in both of them.

Their most recent performance led to a 4-0 win against FC Eindhoven with Camiel Neghli having a game to remember as he scored a hat trick to ensure they took all three points.

The team will also take confidence from the fact that they have been stronger at home throughout this season, winning most of their games in front of their own fans.

Considering that Ajax have been stronger on the road there will be even more pressure on De Graafschap to be resilient and strong in this one.

The visitors are currently in the Eredivisie title hunt right now sitting in second place, however, continuing to push for silverware outside of the league is important for the team.

Ajax might have been knocked out of the Europa League, but they wasted no time in responding to that by defeating Vitesse in their most recent outing.

John Heitinga's men had to come from behind to secure that result though as Davy Klaassen and Edson Alvarez secured the 2-1 win.

Finding the back of the net is something that Ajax have had no problem with throughout the season either, with no team in the Eredivisie scoring more than them, which will be useful in knockout football.

Ajax have yet to concede a single goal in this tournament, putting together dominant performances that they will be hoping to continue here to earn a place in the final four.

De Graafschap KNVB Beker form:

W

De Graafschap form (all competitions):

D

L

W

L

W

W

Ajax KNVB Beker form:

W

Ajax form (all competitions):

W

W

D

W

L

W

Team News

Coming into this game off the back of a 4-0 win the hosts could opt to use the exact same starting lineup to provide consistency and tap into the momentum behind them.

Neghli will likely retain his place in the number 10 role after scoring three goals at the weekend, with his creative attacking play helping the team.

Devin Haen is another player that should be expected to feature as he has been spearheading the attack for the hosts.

Both Youri Baas and Ahmet Kaplan are set to be missing for the visitors and they have been long-term problems for Ajax as of late.

While this could be used as a chance to switch up the team for Ajax, it is likely going to be a strong team that is displayed to give themselves the best chance of progression.

De Graafschap possible starting lineup:

Jurjus; Fortes, Schenk, Hillen, Buttner; Kaak, Brittijn, Korte, Anal; Neghli;Haen

Ajax possible starting lineup:

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

We say: De Graafschap 1-3 Ajax

The hosts head into this match in strong form and after an impressive victory at the weekend, but this could still prove to be too much for them.

Ajax are one of the most dominant teams in the Eredivisie and should have enough quality to get through this one.

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