Ajax vs Feyenoord
27th October 1545hrs
Football – Netherlands – Eredivisie
Pick Ajax/Over 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Coral
Odds: 4/7 odds taken 1200 GMT, Saturday 26 October)
It’s the first De Klassieker of the season in the Netherlands as Ajax host their fiercest rivals Feyenoord. The Champions will be hoping to heap more pressure on their opponent’s manager Jaap Stam.
Ajax Preview – Will Ajax bounce back from European disappointment and continue excellent league form?
It was disappointment for Ajax in midweek as they lost 1-0 at home to Chelsea in the Champions League. In truth, the Dutch champions were not at their best but to be unable to hold out for a draw could yet be crucial in their hopes of reaching the knockout stages. Attention now switches back to domestic matters and aiming to keep the gap at the top of the table between themselves and PSV to at least three points. Since drawing with that rivals last month, the Amsterdam club have racked up four straight wins in the Eredivisie – the most recent of those coming in a narrow 2-1 win away to RKC last weekend.
No team in the Netherlands has been able to live with Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena who have won all four home games in the league scoring 16 goals in the process. They will be looking to take their frustration from midweek out on the team they love to beat the most.
Feyenoord Preview – Can Stam’s men use energy of the derby game to gain what would be a precious victory?
The appointment of Jaap Stam in the summer certainly raised a few eyebrows at the time and there’s more than a few concerns about where Feyenoord are going under their current boss. Ten games into their league campaign and the team from Rotterdam has won just three times and only one of them having come in their last five matches. Stam and his supporters will point to the fact they have lost just twice in the league but they need to pick up more points and begin moving up the table considering they are already 12 points behind Ajax.
Feyenoord’s fortunes in Europe in midweek were not much better either going down 2-0 away to Young Boys. That was their second defeat in three games, losing both away games without scoring a goal.
Key-Facts – Ajax vs Feyenoord
- Ajax will be frustrated with losing to Chelsea in midweek but they have a chance to respond against their arch rivals
- Feyenoord also lost in Europe this week and their struggles domestically are there for all to see
- The Rotterdam club have not won away in this fixture since 2005 – losing on 13 of their last 15 matches
Ajax vs Feyenoord Betting Advice
Traditionally this is the highest profile game in Dutch football and is certainly the most volatile. Ajax have held the upper hand in recent times, particularly in Amsterdam, and you have to go all the way back to 2005 for the last time Feyenoord were victorious here. There was, however, few giving Feyenoord a chance going into the last meeting between the clubs before they went on to trash their opponents 6-2 – that was at home back in January.
Feyenoord would have taken some enjoyment from seeing Ajax being beat in midweek but it could be the worst thing for them. Their hosts will be determined to make up for that loss and could well take their frustration out in Sunday’s game. In 10 of Ajax’s last 15 home wins against Feyenoord there have been at least three goals and that’s the selection for tomorrow. It could be a long afternoon for the visitors.
