Preview: Ajax vs. VVV-Venlo - prediction, team news, lineups

Ajax head into their final home game of the season looking to extend their 14-point advantage having already been crowned Eredivisie champions.

However, opponents VVV-Venlo currently sit in the bottom two, leaving the visitors requiring at least one point from their remaining two fixtures to have any chance of avoiding relegation to the second tier.

Match preview

© Reuters

Having won 26 of their 32 league fixtures this season, Ajax deserve widespread praise for seeing off the challenges of PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar with several games to spare.

However, Erik ten Hag still has targets for his side to meet before the end of the campaign, most notably scoring the four goals required to take them to 100 in the top flight.

Ajax also head into this contest having put together a 21-match unbeaten streak in the league, meaning that there is unlikely to be any let-up on their struggling opponents.

Ten Hag's side benefitted from two own goals during the 3-0 victory at Feyenoord, the highlight being a third strike of the season for promising youngster Mohammed Kudus.

Despite 96 goals being scored in the Eredivisie, only Dusan Tadic and Davy Klaassen have reached double figures, with Sebastien Haller on nine from 17 appearances.

On the back of 12 successive defeats and Emmen's recent resurgence, even the most optimistic of Venlo supporter would have felt that they were all but relegated before their last fixture.

However, a 3-3 draw with RKC Waalwijk and Emmen's surprise 4-0 reverse at home to Groningen have left Jos Luhukay's side with an opportunity to remain in the top flight.

With their nearest rivals to come on the final day of the season, Venlo will be desperate for Heerenveen to do them a favour on Thursday, with Emmen now holding just a one-point advantage.

At a time when ADO Den Haag are showing signs of life behind them, Luhukay knows that the pressure is on his team to pull off a near-miracle result against opponents who defeated them 13-0 in October.

Team News

© Reuters

Edson Alvarez will be missing for Ajax after the defender was dismissed just before half time against Feyenoord.

Kudus is in line to benefit with a start in midfield, while Perr Schuurs will be considered for a recall in the centre of defence.

David Neres may be preferred to Antony in the final third if Ten Hag opts to bring in more fresh legs.

After their improved showing against Waalwijk last time out, Venlo boss Luhukay could be prepared to stick with the same 11 players.

Lukas Schmitz is an option at left-back, but Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Meritan Shabani remains absent through injury.

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Stekelenburg; Mazraoui, Timber, Martinez, Rensch; Kudus, Gravenberch; Neres, Klaassen, Tadic; Haller

VVV-Venlo possible starting lineup:

Kirschbaum; Pachonik, Dekker, Graca, Schmitz; Janssen, Machach, Post; Crooij, Giakoumakis, John

We say: Ajax 4-0 VVV-Venlo

On the back of their much-needed draw at the weekend, Venlo will feel more confident about troubling the champions.

Nevertheless, we expect this to be one-way traffic with the home side cruising to victory with minimal fuss.