Ajax vs Groningen: A Battle for Redemption in the Eredivisie
The Eredivisie serves up a fascinating encounter this Sunday as a struggling AFC Ajax hosts FC Groningen at the iconic Johan Cruyff Arena. This isn’t just another league fixture; it’s a high-stakes battle where both clubs desperately need a win to salvage their season narratives. Will Groningen capitalize on Ajax’s unprecedented slump, or can the Amsterdam giants finally turn the tide?
Ajax’s Unraveling Season: A Crisis in Amsterdam
Once the undisputed kings of Dutch football, Ajax finds itself in an alarming predicament. With a staggering four consecutive losses across all competitions and winless in their last five outings (one draw), the team is enduring one of its worst runs in recent memory. The early season advantage, bolstered by strong home performances, has evaporated, replaced by two defeats and a draw in their last three Eredivisie home matches.
The managerial merry-go-round continues, with Fred Grim temporarily at the helm after Johnny Heitinga paid the price for the club’s decline. However, the change hasn’t stemmed the bleeding, as the 36-time Eredivisie champions have plunged to sixth place, risking a further slide down the table if their dismal form persists.
A shocking statistic highlights their defensive frailty: Ajax hasn’t kept a clean sheet in 15 consecutive matches across all competitions since August. This porous defense has been a major contributor to their woes, shipping two or more goals in their last four games alone.
Groningen’s Golden Opportunity Amidst Their Own Struggles
FC Groningen travels to Amsterdam with a rare chance to inflict more misery on their illustrious opponents and, remarkably, leapfrog them in the standings with a victory. Their record against Ajax is far from stellar, having not beaten them since October 2020 and securing only one draw in the last seven meetings. However, with Ajax in such disarray, this could be Groningen’s best chance in decades to secure an away win against the Dutch giants – a feat they haven’t achieved in Amsterdam since 1994.
Yet, Groningen isn’t without its own challenges. Dick Lukkien’s men are winless in their last three league games and four across all competitions. Like their hosts, defensive vulnerabilities plague them, having failed to keep a clean sheet in eight matches. This defensive fragility has been brutally exposed in heavy defeats, including a 4-1 loss to AZ Alkmaar, 4-2 to PSV Eindhoven, and a crushing 5-2 defeat to Sparta Rotterdam in the domestic cup.
Despite these setbacks, Groningen has shown flashes of resilience, securing three consecutive away league victories earlier in the season. If results elsewhere align, a win against Ajax could propel them into the top four, a powerful incentive for the ‘Pride of the North’.
Key Players and Team News: Who’s Available?
Ajax Team News
Ajax continues to contend with injuries, with Steven Berghuis (groin) and Branco van den Boomen (back) still sidelined. While Wout Weghorst (six goals) and Mika Godts (five goals) lead the scoring charts, their efforts have been overshadowed by the team’s defensive collapses.
Godts, however, has been a bright spot, scoring or assisting in his last four Eredivisie appearances (three goals, two assists), bringing his total goal involvements to ten. With Weghorst’s recent scoring drought, there’s speculation that Kasper Dolberg, who scored last weekend, might get a rare second league start.
Groningen Team News
Groningen, in contrast, boasts a relatively healthy squad. Manager Dick Lukkien has a full complement of players to choose from, with the exception of Newcastle United loanee Travis Harris.
Thom van Bergen, who netted twice in their recent comeback against PEC Zwolle, will be keen to add to his tally. Stije Resink’s creativity in midfield has been pivotal, with five assists this season, two more than Younes Taha, making him a key player to watch for Groningen.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Ajax Possible Starting XI:
- Pasveer
- Rosa, Sutalo, Baas, Alders
- Regeer, Taylor
- Edvardsen, Gloukh, Godts
- Weghorst
Groningen Possible Starting XI:
- Vaessen
- Rente, Blokzijl, Janse, Peersman
- De Jonge, Resink
- Der Werff, Taha, Schreuders
- Van Bergen
Ajax vs Groningen: Our Expert Prediction
This encounter promises to be a tense affair, with both teams displaying significant vulnerabilities, particularly in defense. While Groningen has a golden chance to exploit Ajax’s crisis, their own recent form and historical struggles in Amsterdam cannot be ignored.
We anticipate a thrilling match where both sides find the back of the net. Given the circumstances, a share of the spoils seems a highly plausible outcome, with neither team able to completely assert dominance over the other. Expect a hard-fought draw that, while not ideal for either side, might reflect the current state of both clubs. For more insights into the Dutch league, visit the official Eredivisie website.
