Preview: Ajax vs. AZ Alkmaar - prediction, team news, lineups

Ajax will be looking to kickstart their Eredivisie season when they take on AZ Alkmaar at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts are 15th in the table owing to a slow start to the campaign, while the visitors are up in second place, having looked very promising in their opening seven games.

Match preview

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Ajax have underperformed significantly this season, so much so that there was crowd unrest in their home match against Feyenoord back in September, which ultimately ended up in a 4-0 loss after the game was resumed days later.

That match is the last time the Sons of the Gods were officially in action, as their more recent clash with RKC Waalwijk was abandoned late on, after Etienne Vaessen suffered a horror injury which left him unconscious.

Consequently, Maurice Steijn's side have played two fewer games than most other sides in the division, but the league table still makes for pretty grim reading, as they are just one point above the bottom three, having taken five points from their opening five games.

The side from Amsterdam have also had European football to contend with, and they drew their opening group-stage game with Marseille 3-3 before drawing 1-1 against AEK Athens last time out.

Steven Bergwijn opened the scoring for the Sons of the Gods on the half-hour mark, but Domogoj Vida's second-half equaliser means it is now six games without a win in all competitions.

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AZ Alkmaar have also been on a European adventure this season, but they lost their opening Conference League game in shock fashion away at Zrinjski Mostar, surrendering a three-goal lead to lose 4-3.

Although the Kaaskoppen will be very disappointed by that defeat, they have fortunately looked far better in the Eredivisie, having taken 19 points from their opening seven games, meaning they are only two points behind top-of-the-table PSV Eindhoven.

Pascal Jansen's side remain undefeated in the league, and they put in a very impressive performance in their last outing, securing a 4-0 home victory against Fortuna Sittard in a match where they limited their opponents to one shot on target in the entire game.

That said, AZ Alkmaar are set for a much tougher test this weekend, but they have a solid recent record against Ajax, winning two, drawing two and losing one of the last five matches between the two sides.

Team News

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Ajax will have to make do without Sivert Mannsverk, as the midfielder is missing with a leg injury, meaning Kenneth Taylor and Silvano Vos could get the nod in the middle of the park.

Youngsters Ethan Butera and Ahmetcan Kaplan both remain sidelined with knee injuries, while goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli is still out with a shoulder injury, so Jay Gorter should start between the sticks.

As for AZ Alkmaar, defender Mees de Wit is still suffering with a foot injury, which has ruled him out of the last five games, meaning David Wolfe is likely to start at left-back.

Vangelis Pavlidis has been in sensational form this season, scoring nine goals in seven Eredivisie games, and the Greece international is poised to lead the line, being supported by Dani de Wit in attacking midfield.

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Gorter; Rensch, Sutalo, Avila, Hato; Berghuis, Vos, Taylor; Borges, Brobbey, Bergwijn

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

Ryan; Sugawara, Goes, Penetra, Wolfe; Clasie, Mijnans, Lahdo, De Wit, Van Brederode; Pavlidis

We say: Ajax 0-1 AZ Alkmaar

AZ Alkmaar have a solid record against Ajax, and they have looked a far superior side at the beginning of the season, currently sitting 14 points clear in the Eredivisie table.

As such, we think the visitors may be able to pick up a narrow victory this weekend, extending their unbeaten run to eight Eredivisie games.

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