Eredivisie | Gameweek 16

Dec 15, 2024 at 3.45pm UK

Johan Cruijff Arena

Ajaxvs.Almere City

Match preview

Ajax head into the 16th round of Eredivisie fixtures on the back of a tough week in which they suffered back-to-back defeats, first to AZ Alkmaar 2-1 in the top flight, before losing 3-1 to Lazio in the Europa League four days later.

The defeat to AZ also saw de Godenzonen surrender second place in the league to Utrecht, while the loss to the Eagles dropped them to 11th in the European league standings.

Francesco Farioli's side have also drawn 2-2 with Utrecht and lost to Real Sociedad in the last three weeks, and have now won just one of their last five games in all competitions, a significant drop from the 16-match unbeaten run that began in mid-August.

However, the hosts still have the second-best home record in the league this season, having taken 19 points from a possible 21, with the draw against Utrecht the only match in which they failed to take all three points.

The last time these two sides met, Ajax ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at this venue in May, while they were held to a 2-2 draw at the Yanmar Stadium last November.

Meanwhile, Almere City, who survived their first season in the top flight with 34 points, are the bookmakers' favourites to be relegated this season after taking just six points from 15 games.

De Zwarte Schapen suffered their 11th defeat of the season last weekend, 3-1 at home to Utrecht, and are now on a five-game losing streak dating back to early November when they were beaten by RKC Waalkwijk to drop to the foot of the table.

Hedwiges Maduro's side are now just three defeats shy of the 14 they suffered in the whole of last season, and with eight points separating them from safety, they are in serious danger of being relegated before Christmas.

Unfortunately for Almere, there is little to suggest a quick turnaround, as they have already conceded 34 goals this season, while only finding the back of the net seven times so far, including two own goals.

The visitors have taken just two points from seven away games this season, failing to score in six of those, including the last three.

Recent Performance

Ajax Eredivisie form:WDWWDL

Almere City Eredivisie form:WLLLLL

Team News

Jordan Henderson returned to the Ajax starting line-up in midweek and should retain his place as the deepest midfielder ahead of centre-backs Josip Sutalo and Youri Baas.

However, the hosts are likely to be without at least four players through injury, including Gaston Avila (knee), Amourricho Van Axel-Dongen (ankle), Sivert Mannsverk (ankle) and Benjamin Tahirovic (concussion).

Wout Weghorst came off the bench against Lazio and is likely to start ahead of Brian Brobbey in attack, while Chuba Akpom could replace Mika Godts, who has only just returned from a spell on the sidelines.

For the visitors, James Lawrence was withdrawn at the break for Christopher Mamengi in last weekend's defeat to Utrecht, and the latter is likely to start alongside Joey Jacobs at the heart of defence.

In terms of absentees, Almere City will be without midfielder Alex Carbonell and striker Baptiste Guillaume, both of whom have been ruled out for the rest of the year with injury.

Possible starting lineup

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Pasveer; Gaaei, Sutalo, Baas, Hato; Van den Boomen, Henderson, Taylor; Akpom, Weghorst, Berghuis

Almere City possible starting lineup:

Bakker; Akujobi, Jacobs, Mamengi, Zagaritis; Van de Kamp, Nalic, Tahiri; Providence, Robinet, Kadile