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

A remarkable surge in form has propelled the visitors to fifth place in the Eredivisie table after a difficult start to the season, while their hosts seek to distance themselves further from the relegation zone.

Match preview

Heracles rescued a point at the Erve Asito on Saturday evening, salvaging a 1-1 draw against Volendam.

John Lammers's men found themselves behind early on thanks to Lequincio Zeefuik's opener, but Jizz Hornkamp restored parity for the Heraclieden in the second half, securing a hard-fought point.

However, the draw sees Heracles slip to 15th place in the Eredivisie table with 19 points from 18 matches, five points clear of the relegation zone, but the pressure will be increasing as the second half of the season gets underway.

Their next challenge comes in the form of an opponent they have only managed to beat three times in 35 meetings.

On top of that, Saturday's hosts are on a worrying run of five straight home games without a win, while also needing both attacking and defensive improvements, having conceded 14 goals while scoring just three in those games.

Ajax travel to Erve Asito this Saturday, aiming to extend their remarkable resurgence in the Eredivisie after a disastrous start to the season.

Disappointedly missing out on retaining the Dutch title last term, the Amsterdam giants embarked on a redemption mission this campaign. However, hopes were dashed early on as they limped through the opening eight games, mustering a meagre five points between mid-August and October, capped off by a humiliating five-game losing streak conceding 18 goals.

That woeful run proved the final straw for manager Maurice Steijn. With the club hovering just above the relegation zone, the appointment of John van 't Schip sparked a dramatic turnaround. Under his guidance, Sons of the Gods have embarked on a stunning climb up the table, going unbeaten in their last 10 Eredivisie matches and securing eight victories in the process.

Their most recent league outing saw them thrash RKC Waalwijk 4-1, with Brian Brobbey netting a brace, while Kristian Hlynsson and Steven Berghuis also found the back of the net.

This emphatic win consolidated their fifth-place position in the standings with 31 points from 18 games, three and six points adrift of fourth-placed AZ Alkmaar and third-placed FC Twente in the race for European qualification.

John van't Schip will be hoping to build on their impressive form by claiming a fourth consecutive away victory, having failed to win any of their first six games on the road.

Heracles Eredivisie form:

W

L

L

L

W

D

Heracles form (all competitions):

L

L

L

D

W

D

Ajax Eredivisie form:

W

W

W

D

W

W

Ajax form (all competitions):

D

L

L

W

W

W

Team News

Heracles will be without Diego van Oorschot, who remains sidelined with a long-term broken leg injury.

Lasse Wehmeyer, Anas Ouahim, and Nikolai Laursen are also out due to various knocks.

Ajax will miss Gaston Avila, who is ruled out until March with a knee injury and has not been included in a matchday squad since January 14.

Branco van den Boomen, Sivert Mannsverk, Silvano Vos, and Mika Godts are also set to remain absent with injuries.

John van 't Schip is likely to field the same starting XI that secured their victory over Waalwijk last time out in a 4-3-3 formation, with Brobbey spearheading the attack once again.

Heracles possible starting lineup:

Brouwer; Willems, Hoogma, Sonnenberg, Bultman, Wieckhoff; Hansson, De Keersmaecker, Vejinovic, Engels; Sankoh

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Ramaj; Rensch, Sutalo, Hato, Sosa; Hlynsson, Tahirovic, Taylor; Bergwijn, Brobbey, Berghuis

We say: Heracles 0-3 Ajax

Ajax have rekindled their form and seem unstoppable at the moment. They are the clear favourites in this tie and look likely to extend their unbeaten run.

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