Preview: Ajax vs. Groningen – prediction, team news, lineups

Groningen, which has not won against Ajax in Amsterdam since 1994, travels to the Johan Cruyff Arena on Sunday Eredivisie encounter, aware of the possibility of toppling their Amsterdam hosts with a win.

This will likely take FC ahead of this weekend’s Gameweek 14 clash, as they look to cause further trouble to the sixth-placed side, who suffered a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions during the week.

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match preview

While Ajax started the season without a result, their performance in Amsterdam put Jews in a good position early on.

However, after four consecutive wins at the Johan Cruyff Arena, they suffered two defeats and a draw in their last three home league matches, highlighting wider issues within the club.

Returning head coach Jonny Heitinga has paid the price for De Joden’s decline in performances and results following a 3–0 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League, with Fred Grimm taking over temporarily.

The change has brought no improvement, as the 36-time Eredivisie champions have suffered three more defeats, taking their losing streak to four and five matches (one draw) without a win.

With just one win in 10 in all competitions – just one in six in the Eredivisie – Ajax risk slipping further down. League table If their poor form continues, and this weekend’s visitors will welcome the chance to hand Grim’s side a fifth consecutive defeat.

Having not beaten Ajax since October 2020, managing six defeats and one draw in the last seven meetings, Dick Lukin’s men couldn’t have a better chance than this to end their poor record in this fixture and leapfrog straight above them in the table.

This possibility is perhaps weakened by the away team’s current form, however, with Der FC winless in three league games and four in all competitions.

Like the Amsterdam giants, who have not kept a clean sheet in 15 matches in all competitions since August, Groningen have failed to keep a shut-out in eight matches in the league and cup, and defensive weakness will keep them on points unless there is a change.

A tendency to concede defeat has been evident throughout the season, conceding four goals in defeats to AZ Alkmaar (4–1) and PSV Eindhoven (4–2) in the top flight, as well as a 5–2 defeat by Sparta Rotterdam in the domestic cup.

While the Pride of the North recovered from early defeats at Alkmaar and Eindhoven to register three consecutive league wins against FC Utrecht (1-0), NAC Breda (2-1) and Fortuna Sittard (2-1), defeats to Sparta in the Cup and to NEC in their most recent Eredivisie game at NEC (2-0) have slightly dampened the boost they received from those wins on their journey.

Nevertheless, scoring maximum points remains an ambition as Groningen can reach the top four if they beat Ajax in Amsterdam for the first time in 31 years and results elsewhere are in their favour.

Ajax Eredivisie form:

Ajax Form (All Contests):

Groningen Eredivisie form:

Groningen form (all competitions):

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team news

While Ajax suffered no injuries in their defeat to Benfica, Steven Berghuis (groin) and Branco van den Boomen (back) remain on the treatment table.

Wout Weghorst (six goals) and Mika Godts (five) are the hosts’ leading goalscorers, although both have been helpless as the defense has conceded two or more goals in their last four games in all competitions.

Although results haven’t always panned out, Godts has scored or assisted in his last four Eredivisie appearances (three goals, two assists), giving him 10 appearances in total.

However, with Weghorst not having scored in a month, Grimm may be looking to start Kasper Dolberg for the second time in the league this season, supporting the forward after last weekend’s defeat to SBV Excelsior.

Apart from Newcastle United loanee Travis Harris, who was unlikely to play any part anyway, Luckin has a healthy side to choose from for Sunday’s match.

Thom van Bergen scored twice for Groningen after twice coming from behind against PEC Zwolle, and the forward will be aiming to add to his tally this weekend.

Stijn Razink’s creativity has been unmistakable all season, and the central midfielder’s assist against PEC was his fifth, two more than Younes Taha before this weekend’s round.

Ajax probable starting lineup:

Pashvir; Rosa, Sutalo, Bas, Elders; Regier, Taylor; Edvardsen, Glaukh, Gods; weghorst

Groningen probable starting lineup:

Wesen; Rente, Blokzijl, Janse, Piersman; de Jonge, Risink; Der Werf, Taha, Schraders; van bergen

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We say: Ajax 2-2 Groningen

While Groningen should ideally be backed to succeed in Amsterdam, their own troubles at the back mean Sunday’s encounter could go either way.

We expect both teams to score goals in an exciting encounter, with the spoils divided between sixth and seventh.

Please click here for data analysis of the most probable outcomes of this match, scoreline and more.

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