MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 02:28:13| >> :600:328543:328543:
[monks data]
NEC
Eredivisie | Gameweek 15
Jan 8, 2023 at 1.30pm UK
Goffertstadion
Ajax

Nijmegen
1 - 1
Ajax

Dimata (52')
Marquez (88')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Klaassen (38')
Sanchez (50'), Rensch (58'), Conceicao (69')

Preview: NEC vs. Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Eredivisie clash between NEC and Ajax, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Defending champions Ajax will be looking to resume their 2022-23 Eredivisie campaign in style on Sunday with a trip to Goffertstadion to face off against NEC.

On the other hand, the hosts set out to record a third consecutive league victory and pick up where they left off before the World Cup break.


Match preview

Ajax defender Jurrien Timber pictured in October 2022© Reuters

Ajax breezed past the challenge of Telstar in an emphatic 5-1 victory when the sides went head-to-head at the Johan Cruyff ArenA on December 30.

Davy Klaassen broke the deadlock after 20 minutes before Brian Brobbey's second-half hat-trick and an Olivier Aertssen strike wrapped up the win for Alfred Schreuder's men.

De Godenzonen have now won each of their last two matches since failing to win any of the subsequent four, which saw them slip to second place in the Eredivisie table, three points adrift of leaders Feyenoord.

Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing outfit aiming to snap a four-game losing streak in this fixture by a combined score of 16-1.

Currently with the joint second-best away record in the division, Sunday's visitors set out to record three very crucial points to avoid losing further ground in the title race.

NEC Nijmegen fell to a 3-2 defeat against FC Emmen in a thrilling friendly encounter between the teams at De Oude Meerdijk on December 17.

After going 1-0 and 2-1 down to strikes from Rui-Jorge Mendes and Richairo Zivkovic, Rogier Meijer's managed to hit back on either occasion through Elayis Tavsan and Magnus Mattsson, before Mohamed Bouchouari netted the winner three minutes shy of half time.

Having amassed seven points from their most recent four league outings, the Eniesee now sit ninth in the standings, but they remain a considerable way off the final European spot.

With 12 goals scored across their last three home matches, Sunday's hosts will back themselves to keep up their newly-found attacking impetus on home turf.

NEC Eredivisie form:

Ajax Eredivisie form:


Ajax form (all competitions):



Team News

Steven Berghuis celebrates scoring for Ajax on November 1, 2022© Reuters

Brian Brobbey has scored five times in his last two appearances for Ajax, and the Dutchman is in line to be handed a starting role this weekend.

Following the departure of Daley Blind, Owen Wijndal is expected to retain his place at left-back, with Devyne Rensch featuring on the opposite flank.

New arrival Geronimo Rulli will have to wait a little longer for his first outing with the visitors, having only recently joined from Villarreal.

Mathias de Wolf remains without an appearance since April due to a knee injury, and the midfielder will not play any part for NEC Nijmegen here.

Since his return to action, 21-year-old Elayis Tavsan boasts two goals in as many outings, making him one to keep an eye on for the home side.

NEC possible starting lineup:
Cillessen; Van Rooy, Marquez, Sandler, El Karouani; Tannane, Proper, Schone; Cissoko, Dimata, Mattsson

Ajax possible starting lineup:
Pasveer; Wijndal, Bassey, Timber, Rensch; Taylor, Alvarez, Berghuis; Bergwijn, Brobbey, Tadic


SM words green background

We say: NEC 1-3 Ajax

Ajax have enjoyed the better of this fixture to a large degree, and it is hard to envisage any other outcome rather than a victory for them. We are tipping the visitors to cruise to a relatively comfortable triumph at the end of the 90 minutes.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:503694:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10794:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Nijmegen vs Ajax

NEC
4.8%
Draw
11.9%
Ajax
83.3%
42
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Rangers players look dejected after Mohammed Kudus scores for Ajax on November 1, 2022
Read Next:
Rangers eliminated from Europe with zero points after Ajax defeat
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1PSV EindhovenPSV16140256134342
2Ajax16113235161936
3FC UtrechtUtrecht1611323223936
4Feyenoord16105140182235
5FC Twente1694332201231
6AZ AlkmaarAZ1692530171329
7Go Ahead Eagles166462826222
8Fortuna SittardSittard166462023-322
9NAC BredaNAC Breda167181825-722
10Heerenveen166371728-1121
11Willem II165471718-119
12NECNijmegen165292220217
13PEC Zwolle164481525-1016
14Groningen164481426-1216
15Heracles163581833-1514
16Sparta RotterdamSparta162681424-1012
17RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk1613121740-236
18Almere CityAlmere City161312737-306


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!