Preview: Sparta Rotterdam vs. Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, the defending champions make the journey to Rotterdam this weekend aiming to preserve their unblemished start to the new campaign.

Match preview

Ajax put on an attacking masterclass as they emphatically demolished Groningen 6-1 in Sunday's encounter at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.

Steven Bergwijn led the assault for Alfred Schreuder's men as he grabbed a hat-trick, while Antony, Kenneth Taylor and Steven Berghuis were also on the score sheet.

Consequently, de Godenzonen currently sit joint-top in the Eredivisie table, level with PSV Eindhoven on six points and a +6 goal difference.

Awaiting them next is the threat of an opposing outfit who have suffered defeat in each of the last 11 editions of the fixture dating back to 2010.

Unbeaten in all but one of their league games on the road since the turn of the year, Sunday's visitors set out secure another positive result away from home.

Off the back of a goalless draw on the opening weekend, Sparta Rotterdam fell to a 3-2 loss at the hands of AZ Alkmaar when the teams locked horns on Sunday.

Maurice Steijn's men opened the scoring early on through Vito van Crooy before strikes from Vangelis Pavlidis and Dani De Wit turned the game on its head after which van Crooy grabbed his second goal to level matters once again, only for Milos Kerkez to net a 65th-minute winner.

With one point from a possible six so far, De Kasteelheren are 11th in the standings and will be looking to put together a decent run of results in the coming weeks.

Despite coming away empty-handed from their last outing against more illustrious opponents, Sunday's hosts gave a good account of themselves and should approach this weekend's match with real belief.

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:

Sparta Rotterdam form (all competitions):

Ajax Eredivisie form:

Ajax form (all competitions):

Team News

Twenty-year-old Mohammed Ihattaren remains ruled out of action with a muscle problem as he prepares to sit out a ninth Ajax game on the bounce.

Amid talks of a potential move to Manchester United, Antony was absent from training earlier today and he is not expected to feature here.

Off the back of a sensational three-goal haul last time out, Steven Bergwijn currently leads the scoring charts after the first two rounds of matches.

Sparta Rotterdam's Laurent Jans continues to nurse an ankle problem, making the Luxembourg international a doubt for this weekend's contest.

With four goals in his last three outings for the home side, forward Vito van Crooy will be looking to deliver the goods once again and is definitely one to look out for.

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Olij; Abels, Vriends, Auassar, Pinto; De Guzman, Verschueren; Van Crooy, Namli, Eyenga-Lokilo; Lauritsen

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Pasveer; Rensch, Timber, Blind, Wijndal; Tadic, Alvarez, Taylor; Bergwijn, Brobbey, Berghuis

We say: Sparta Rotterdam 0-3 Ajax

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