Ajax might have hoped for more consistency after a disastrous 2023-24 campaign in which they finished fifth on 56 points, 35 points behind champions PSV Eindhoven.

But while the hosts won their first league game 1-0 against Heerenveen on 11 August, they lost their second 2-1 to NAC Breda on 18 August.

Ajax had 75% of the possession, had 16 shots on goal and created three good chances, but they also conceded two and were once again defensively vulnerable in the defeat.

To their credit, the loss to NAC Breda was only their second defeat in eight competitive games this season, the other six being victories.

Those victories include their last two games, both against Jagiellonia in the fourth and final qualifying round of the Europa League.

Manager Francesco Farioli was only appointed in May 2024 and is in his first season in charge, but he already has as many wins in his eight games as Ajax had in their final 15 games of the 2023-24 season.

Ajax have been hard to beat at home for some time now, having lost just once in their last 15 home games, winning seven and drawing seven.

Fortuna Sittard come into the game having played two more league games than Ajax and were also beaten by NAC Breda in their last league outing, a 1-0 defeat on 14 September.

Fortuna boss Danny Buijs will be disappointed not only that his side conceded an 85th-minute winner, but also that they failed to create any real chances.

Buijs' side have lost their last two Eredivisie games, reversing a good start to the season when they beat Go Ahead Eagles 2-0 on 11 August and Almere City 3-0 on 16 August.

Nevertheless, their start to the 2024-25 campaign is still significantly better than last season, when they lost their first five league games and drew their sixth.

Fortuna's two wins this season are their only victories in their last 12 Eredivisie matches, during which time they have lost six and drawn four.

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Pasveer; Rensch, Sutalo, Baas, Hato; Fitz-Jim, Henderson, Taylor; Borges, Akpom, Godts

Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:

Branderhorst; Pinto, Adewoye, Guth, Dijks; Fosso, Loreintz; Halilovic, Bullaude, Peterson; Aiko

Prediction:Ajax 2-1 Fortuna Sittard

Ajax VS Fortuna Sittard stream and TV listing

International：Holasports