Ajax vs Utrecht
22 April 1745hrs
Football – Netherlands – Eredivisie
Pick Ajax -1
Bookmaker PaddyPower
Odds: 8/11 odds taken 2000 GMT, Tuesday 20 April
Ajax are close to be crowned Dutch champions once again and can take another step closer when taking on Utrecht at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday.
Table of Contents
Ajax Preview – Will Ajax continue their excellent recent run and take another step towards the title?
It was disappointment for Ajax last week as despite being the better team in both legs of their Europa League quarter-final tie they exited at the hands of Roma, losing 3-2 on aggregate. Long-term it will have been a great experience for this group of players but attention switched straight back to domestic matters.
The Amsterdam club secured what they hope is the first part of a double when beating Vitesse 2-1 in the final of the Dutch Cup on Sunday. A David Neres goal in added time proved to be the difference and they now focus on clinching the league title.
Ajax come into the game with an 11 point lead over PSV and AZ, and with six games left it really is just a matter of when, not if. Erik ten Hag’s men have pulled away from the chasing pack in recent weeks, winning 12 of their last 13 and being unbeaten in the league since the start of December. Nobody has been able to live with the level of consistency.
What is pretty remarkable about this team is that despite scoring at least 20 goals more than every other team in the Eredivisie, Ajax don’t have a single player with more than 14 goals (Dusan Tadic). Their strength is the number of attacking options they have and spreading the goals around.
Utrecht Preview – Can Utrecht improve their European hopes with their first win here in four years?
Utrecht are currently seventh in the league and occupying the last of four Europa League playoff spots. They hold a four point lead over Heracles who sit directly below them so there is work to do for Rene Hake’s men to secure their chance for the end of season playoffs.
Their form since the turn of the year has been strong with eight wins in 14 matches but they come into this match on the back of a defeat to Feyenoord. That was actually their third home loss in a row.
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Although they are travelling to the champions-elect, Utrecht will be hopeful of getting something as they bid for a sixth straight away win in the league. That’s a run which has included victory over third place AZ.
They’re also defensively will drilled on their travels having conceded only 14 goals – that’s the second best record in the division, bettered only by Ajax.
Ajax vs Utrecht Betting Advice
This will be the third meeting between these two sides this season and it’s Ajax who have come out on top on both occasions. The matches have been very different, however, with a comfortable 3-0 success in the league followed by an amazing 5-4 cup tie where Ajax had to score two goals in the final 10 minutes to progress. So the visitors know they can trouble their opponents.
There’s an argument to be made that Utrecht actually need the points more in the pursuit of a Europa League playoff place but Ajax will want to get this title wrapped up as soon as possible and that means another three points.
Key Facts – Ajax vs Utrecht Betting Tip
- Ajax lifted the Dutch Cup on Sunday and are in touching distance of making it a double
- Utrecht are looking to compete in European football next season and have won their last five on the road
- This will be the third meeting between the two this season. Ajax won 5-4 here in an earlier round of the Dutch Cup
Nine of Ajax’s 16 home games in the league have been won by a margin of at least two goals and whilst their opponents don’t concede many, I’m banking on the host’s dynamic attack to see them win comfortably tomorrow.
Best Betting Odds for Ajax vs Utrecht
