Eredivisie 2023: Ajax vs AZ Alkmaar, Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast
The defending Eredivisie Champions resume action in the league hosting AZ Alkmaar, at the Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam, on Sunday.
Ajax‘s final opportunity to land silverware ended up in heartbreak, as ended up losing on penalties to rivals PSV Eindhoven, in the KNVB Cup final last Sunday, at De Kuip. The Amsterdam faithful have now seen their team lose twice to PSV in a week, once each in the league and the cup. Here is the preview for Ajax vs AZ Alkmaar.
However, despite the eerie feeling, it won’t be a straightforward end to their week, as they now face fourth-placed AZ Alkmaar side who are two points behind them in fourth position and travelling to overtake them with a win at the weekend.
AZ will be hoping to do the double over Ajax this season, a victory on Sunday will lift their confidence even further, as they also prepare for the mid-week UEFA Conference League semi-final fixture against West Ham. The fourth spot is virtually sealed for them with a seven-point gap over nearest rivals & a win over the fancied Ajax side will certainly be on the cards for the visitors.
With their biggest match of the season coming in midweek, Pascal Jansen has some decisions to make regarding his personnel, and whether or not giving rest to key players, will be based on training availability, as well as accumulated fatigue over the recent weeks.
Kick-Off:
Saturday, 06-04-2023, 07:00 PM (GMT)
Ajax Form (All Competitions): L-L-W-W-W
AZ Alkmaar Form (All Competitions): W-W-W-L-L
Player to Watch Out
Ajax: Dusan Tadic
The Ajax captain had a relatively quiet game by his high standards in the KNVP Cup final last Sunday, where he created only 1 big chance in 120 minutes, and his side eventually ended up losing on penalties. However, his creativity and playmaking have been key in his false nine role this year, yielding 17 assists (the highest) in the league. His on-ball ability will be needed yet again to deliver something special against AZ over the weekend.
AZ Alkmaar: Sven Mijnans
The 23-year-old Sparta Rotterdam youth product is having the breakthrough season of his career and is certainly within the realms of a Dutch National team call-up real soon. The 6 foot 2 framed creative midfielder primarily operates as a No.10 in this AZ side and has already provided 6 goals and 8 assists in the league.
However, his large physical frame also allows him to play deeper in midfield in a holding role and dictate play from deep. That’s exactly what he did in last week’s 3-0 victory over RKC Waalwijk where he gave an assist & goal, besides creating four other chances and five shots. He’ll have to do it again and this time against Ajax, if they want anything from this tie at the weekend.
Match Facts
Ajax Amsterdam haven’t scored in only 1 of their 15 home matches in Eredivisie this season.
AZ Alkmaar have a winning streak of 3 matches.
Team & Injury News
Ajax will be without long-term injury absentees Ahmetcan Kapla (knee), while Devyne Rensch (thigh) and Mohammed Kudus (hamstring).
AZ will miss out on ther services of defender Martins Indi(hip), midfielder De Wit(foot), winger Karlsson(knock), & goalie Westerveld(knee).
Head-to-head Stats
Matches – 56
Ajax– 30
AZ Alkmaar – 14
Draws – 12
Predicted Lineup
Ajax Predicted lineup (4-3-3):
Rulli; Sanchez, Timber, Bassey, Hato; Klaassen, Grillitsch, Taylor; Berghuis, Tadic, Bergwijn
AZ Alkmaar Predicted lineup (4-3-3):
Ryan; Sugawara, Chatzidiakos, Beukema, Kerkez; Reijnders, Clasie; Odgaard, Mijnans, Lahdo; Meerdink
Prediction for Ajax vs AZ Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar present a difficult test in the final rundown of the league season for Ajax, and ending the season in third would allow them a place in the qualifying rounds in the knockout stage of next year’s Champions League. They’ll have to quickly erase the defeat last weekend’s loss in the Cup final from their memory and be ready for another battle at their home ground.
The crowd will be up for it and Dusan Tadic and his teammates will be able to feed off the energy from the home and get a close victory, in our estimation.
Prediction: Ajax 2 – 1 AZ Alkmaar
Telecast
India – No Telecast.
UK – Mola TV
US – ESPN
Nigeria – No telecast.
