Preview: RKC Waalwijk vs. Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups

On the other hand, the home side head into this one in fine form having failed to taste defeat in any of their most recent four league outings.

Match preview

Ajax recorded their biggest win of the campaign on Sunday following a 7-1 demolition of newly-promoted SBV Excelsior at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.

First-half goals from Jorge Sanchez, Steven Berghuis and Brian Brobbey put Alfred Schreuder's men in the driving seat before Dusan Tadic, Steven Bergwijn and Mohammed Kudus all got in on the act after the restart.

Consequently, De Godenzonen have moved up to first place in the Eredivisie table, one point clear of nearest challengers and last season's runners-up PSV Eindhoven.

Awaiting them next is the task of facing off against an opposing outfit who have lost all but two of the last 27 editions of this fixture since 2003.

Ahead of back-to-back Champions League encounters against Liverpool and Rangers, Saturday's visitors now go in search of a dominant display to help set the tone for a crucial period in their European adventure.

Waalwijk were dumped out of the KNVB-Beker on Wednesday thanks to a 2-0 defeat versus lower league opposition De Treffers at the Sportpark Zuid.

Joseph Oosting's men trailed to Gavin Vlijter's opener in the 17th minute before Brian Chapman put the game to bed midway through the second half.

Prior to that, RKC played out a goalless stalemate against Fortuna Sittard last Saturday which leaves them still seventh in the league standings.

With just one defeat in their last nine games on home turf, Saturday's hosts have shown that they are no pushovers on their own patch and will be looking to continue in the same vein against more illustrious opponents this weekend.

RKC Waalwijk Eredivisie form:

W

L

W

D

W

D

Ajax Eredivisie form:

W

W

L

D

W

W

Ajax form (all competitions):

L

D

L

W

L

W

Team News

Mohammed Ihattaren has not featured for Ajax in the last three months and remains unavailable, while Ahmetcan Kaplan misses out through a knee problem.

The visitors will also have to make do with the absence of Devyne Rensch who came off injured with a muscle problem in his side's victory over Volendam.

Twenty-year-old Brian Brobbey is expected to retain his place in the starting lineup off the back of a superb display against Excelsior.

Waalwijk's Michiel Kramer has found the back of the net in each of his last three home appearances, making the forward one to keep an eye on here.

Vurnon Anita was given a rare breather in midweek but the Curacao international is on course to be recalled to the XI for this weekend's contest.

RKC Waalwijk possible starting lineup:

Vaessen; Lutonda, Van den Buijs, Adewoye, Gaari, Lelieveld; Clement, Anita, Bel Hassani; Lobete, Kramer

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Pasveer; Sanchez, Timber, Blind, Bassey; Klaassen, Alvarez, Berghuis; Bergwijn, Brobbey, Tadic

We say: RKC Waalwijk 1-3 Ajax

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