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

At a time when the home side have recently strengthened their hold of first place, Ajax have posted four successive draws in the Dutch top flight.

Match preview

In any era, five matches without success in the Eredivisie for Ajax is almost unheard of, and Alfred Schreuder is aware that it has left him fighting for his job at the defending champions.

On the back of losing at home to PSV Eindhoven on November 6, Ajax appeared to have a favourite fixture list in front of them, but they have been held by each of Vitesse, Emmen, NEC and FC Twente.

On a certain level, the goalless draw with the latter was a point gained with Ajax being at a player disadvantage for 55 minutes, although they did let slip leads in the previous three contests.

While Schreuder will feel that the situation can be retrieved, the Dutch giants are now at risk of reaching the midway point of the campaign trailing their next opponents by eight points.

On a positive note, 17 points have been collected from eight away fixtures, yet that is matched by Feyenoord's return at their home ground in one fewer fixture.

In fact, Arne Slot's team have conceded just twice in seven games at their home ground, and have not suffered defeat at De Kuip in any competition since losing to Twente on the final day of last season.

Like Ajax, Feyenoord have not been perfect since the resumption, with the leaders only earning a draw with Utrecht in their first game back courtesy of a last-gasp equaliser.

Since then, though, Feyenoord have netted three times in each of the games against PEC Zwolle and Groningen in the KNVB Beker and league respectively.

De club aan de Maas continue to possess an inferior attacking record in comparison to Ajax and PSV, but conceding just 14 times in 16 matches is currently proving to be the difference maker.

Feyenoord Eredivisie form:

D

W

W

W

D

W

Feyenoord form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

D

W

Ajax Eredivisie form:

W

L

D

D

D

D

Ajax form (all competitions):

Team News

Barring any further injury issues, Slot has no reason to make any changes to his Feyenoord starting lineup.

Although Santiago Gimenez came off the substitutes' bench to score against Groningen, Danilo will retain his spot down the middle of the attack.

Gernot Trauner and Quinten Timber are set to be the only players who are unavailable for the home side.

Ajax will be forced into at least one alternation with Devyne Rensch serving a suspension for his dismissal versus Twente.

Owen Wijndal could replace Calvin Bassey at left-back, allowing the latter to move into a central position, while Steven Bergwijn and Mohammed Kudus are both pushing for recalls.

Feyenoord possible starting lineup:

Bijlow; Pedersen, Geertruida, Hancko, Hartman; Kokcu, Wieffer; Jahanbakhsh, Szymanski, Paixao; Danilo

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Rulli; Sanchez, Timber, Bassey, Wijndal; Berghuis, Alvarez, Klaassen; Bergwijn, Brobbery, Tadic

We say: Feyenoord 1-1 Ajax

With the dynamic currently shifting in Dutch football, Feyenoord are the justified favourites to prevail from this contest. However, they will also recognise that avoiding defeat is as important as a win, something which may lead to a share of the spoils.

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