Preview: FC Utrecht vs. Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups

Ajax make the trip to face FC Utrecht on Sunday morning already at a point where they desperately need a win to make progress up the Eredivisie standings.

At a time when the Dutch giants are in crisis, their hosts sit in bottom spot, albeit just two points adrift of their upcoming opponents.

Match preview

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When Maurice Steijn took the reins at Ajax, it was supposed to be his dream job, yet he is already battling to avoid one of the shortest appointments in the club's history.

Just two wins have been recorded from his 10 matches in all competitions, with one of those successes coming away to Ludogorets Razgrad in the Europa League qualifiers.

Since then, Ajax have gone seven matches without success during a period where supporters have gone to extreme measures to express their anger at the running of the club.

Their team had been on course to defeat RKC Waalwijk before the international break until the home side's goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen suffered a concerning head injury.

Vaessen has since recovered well and the game will be concluded at a later date, with Ajax leading 3-2 at the point of its suspension potentially keeping Steijn in a job.

As far as Utrecht are concerned, they have endured a start to the season as dismal as Ajax's, losing seven of their first eight games in the top flight.

Being edged out in the European playoffs by Sparta Rotterdam in June has seemingly had long-term ramifications for a team that would have been eyeing another top-half finish.

Instead, they have mustered just four goals in 720 minutes of football, three of which were scored in a much-needed 3-1 victory over Heracles on September 16.

Nevertheless, defeats have since been posted against teams in NEC Nijmegen, Almere City and FC Volendam who they would have expected to collect points from, and recently-appointed boss Ron Jans has already realised the size of the task in hand.

Team News

Utrecht will be without defender Nick Viergever after his dismissal against Volendam, with Souffian El Karouani in line to replace him at left-back.

Hugo Novoa will return to the squad after a ban of his own, but the forward is unlikely to be drafted into the starting lineup.

Mats Seuntjens is pushing for a return to the starting lineup, although former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal remains on the sidelines.

As for Ajax, Steijn will be forced into a change in midfield with Silvano Vos serving a suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Branco van den Boomen could deputise for the youngster, while Georges Mikautadze may be provided with an opportunity in a creative role.

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; Van der Maarel, Flamingo, Sagnan, El Karouani; Bozdogan, Labyad, Fraulo; Romeny, Lidberg, Boussaid

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Gorter; Rensch, Medic, Avila, Hato; Taylor, Van den Boomen; Forbs, Mikautadze, Bergwijn; Brobbey

We say: FC Utrecht 1-2 Ajax

Such has been Ajax's demise that you cannot back them to defeat any Dutch team with any great confidence. Nevertheless, we are predicting that the visitors will battle their way to a hard-fought triumph, potentially kick-starting their campaign in the process.

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