Ajax play host to NEC on Sunday afternoon needing maximum points in order to keep in contention for a third-placed finish in the Eredivisie standings.
At a time when the Dutch giants sit in fifth position, the visitors are seventh, just six points adrift of their next opponents.
Match preview
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Although Ajax have performed far below their usual standards throughout 2023-24, their supporters cannot claim that it has been dull, whether it is in their team's favour or not.
Having lost 3-2 to Heerenveen at the weekend, Ajax faced a similarly demoralising result at home to Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Europa Conference playoff tie on Thursday.
However, facing a two-goal deficit, Ajax scored twice in added-on time to earn a share of the spoils ahead of the reverse fixture in Norway, keeping their continental ambitions alive.
Ajax have now conceded in 10 successive European matches, while John v'ant Schip has not witnessed his team keep a clean sheet in 13 fixtures in all competitions.
On the flip side, goals have been scored in each of those encounters, yet Ajax have reached a point where they are nine points adrift of third spot in the Dutch top flight with the sixth worst defensive record in the division.
If Ajax have been a surprise package for negative reasons, NEC's performances have created the opposite feeling with a recent 10-match undefeated streak having been put together.
Three of those games have come in the KNVB Beker, setting up a semi-final showdown with second-tier Cambuur as they bid to reach the final, where they would face either Feyenoord or Groningen.
For Rogier Meijer, though, priority remains the league for the time being, NEC having impressively lost just six of their 21 league matches this campaign.
A seven-game unbeaten streak in the league included four points being taken from AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord, but NEC did lose 2-0 at struggling RKC Waalwijk last time out.
Team News
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V'ant Schip must decide whether to stick with a 4-4-2 formation having handed Chuba Akpom a rare start against Bodo/Glimt.
Carlos Forbs is an alternative should he prefer to switch to three creative players, while midfielder Branco van den Boomen has put himself into contention with a goal from the substitutes' bench.
In defence, Borna Sosa could return at left-back, allowing Jorrel Hato to move back into the centre, depending on the fitness of Devyne Rensch.
Meanwhile, Meijer may be against over-reacting to the defeat at RKC, where the goals that they conceded both came by the 22nd minute.
While Rober and Sylla Sow will be considered for opportunities in the final third, Meijer may go with an unchanged starting lineup.
Ajax possible starting lineup:
Ramaj; Gooijer, Sutalo, Hato, Sosa; Berghuis, Taylor, Henderson, Hlynsson; Brobbey, Akpom
NEC possible starting lineup:
Cillessen; Van Rooij, Sandler, Nuytinck, Verdonk; Hoedemakers, Proper; Hansen, Chery, Sano; Ogawa
We say: Ajax 4-1 NEC
Although NEC suffered defeat last time out, they will have every confidence of capitalising on the inconsistences of their hosts. Nevertheless, Ajax's dramatic comeback on Thursday could provide them with the extra belief that they need to put together a more ruthless performance in this fixture.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
