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

Defending champions Ajax welcome Groningen to the Johan Cruyff ArenA on Sunday in gameweek two of the 2022-23 Eredivisie season.

The home side will be looking to build upon a victory last time out, while the visitors seeks their first three points of the new campaign.

Match preview

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Ajax kicked off their title defence with a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Fortuna Sittard at the Fortuna Sittard Stadion on Saturday afternoon.

After going behind to Paul Gladon's opener, Alfred Schreuder's men hit back through goals from Kenneth Taylor, Devyne Rensch and Brian Brobbey before Burak Yilmaz pulled one back late on.

De Godenzonen have now won nine of their most recent 11 league outings dating back to last season and currently sit fifth in the standings.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing side who were beaten in both of the two league meetings last time out by a combined score of 6-1.

Having won nine of their 10 competitive home games since the turn of the year, Sunday's visitors will back themselves to secure yet another three points in front of their fans.

Groningen had to make do with a point in their season-opener versus newly-promoted Volendam on Sunday morning, which ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

Frank Wormuth's men stormed to a commanding lead thanks to goals from Cyril Ngonge and Jorgen Strand Larsen before Daryl van Mieghem and Benaissa Benamar struck to restore parity.

The Pride of the North failed to pick up a sixth victory on the bounce, but they have stretched their unbeaten run to six games on the bounce.

Off the back of three consecutive away league defeats, Sunday's visitors have it all to if they are to avoid coming away from another domestic outing empty-handed.

Team News

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Twenty-year-old Mohammed Ihattaren remains unavailable for Ajax and is set to miss a seventh straight game since he grabbed a brace against Paderborn in July.

Dusan Tadic will be looking to deliver the goods once again following his man-of-the-match performance in the most recent encounter between Saturday's opponents.

After coming off the bench to good effect last time out, Brian Brobbey could be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup for this one.

Nordin Musampa is a guaranteed absentee for Groningen and will have to wait a little longer for his debut outing since joining from Ajax.

Croatian defender Marin Sverko is yet to shake off a muscle problem in time to feature for the away side this weekend, while Emmanuel Matuta also misses out through injury.

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Pasveer; Wijndal, Schuurs, Timber, Rensch; Taylor, Blind, Berghuis; Bergwijn, Tadic, Antony

Groningen possible starting lineup:

Verrips; Dybvik, Balker, Te Wierik, Kasanwirjo; Duarte, Pelupessy; Lundqvist, Ngonge, Suslov; Larsen

We say: Ajax 3-1 Groningen

Taking points off Ajax on their own turf is a very daunting task, and Groningen are the latest team to try to foil the Dutch champions. We are tipping Ajax to cruise to a comfortable victory at the sound of the final whistle.

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