Preview:Go Ahead Eagles vs. Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups

Go Ahead Eagles are set to host Ajax in the second gameweek of the Eredivisie, aiming to succeed where Telstar failed in Sunday's fixture at De Adelaarshorst.

De Godenzonen were fortunate to secure a victory over the promoted team in Amsterdam last time, and the prolific home side hope to be more effective against the previous season's runners-up.

Match preview

New Go Ahead Eagles head coach Melvin Boel must have been pleased with his team's late rescue at Fortuna Sittard Stadion during the opening weekend of the Eredivisie season, following a late equaliser.

Kowet had opened the scoring midway through the first half, but they found themselves trailing with just five minutes remaining after goals from Philip Brittijn and Luka Tunjic put Fortuna Sittard ahead 2-1.

Nevertheless, the visitors, reduced to 10 men after Calvin Twigt was dismissed in the 54th minute, equalised in the fourth minute of stoppage time in the second half through Gerrit Nauber’s headed effort in the dying seconds of the match.

Despite being outshot 36-6 on the day, Boel’s team managed to restrict the quality of those opportunities to low-probability efforts, which could prove crucial as they aim to withstand the offensive prowess of last season’s runners-up.

The resilience demonstrated while playing with 10 men bodes well as they seek their first victory in this fixture since defeating the 36-time Eredivisie champions 2-1 in September 2022.

Although Ajax have been unbeaten in six matches against Go Ahead Eagles, they will not underestimate their hosts at De Adelaarshorst, where they have failed to secure maximum points in two of their last three visits.

In fact, Ajax's only victory in this period was a 3-2 triumph in January 2024, sandwiching a goalless draw in April 2023 and a 1-1 draw in September 2024.

Given that De Godenzonen are still acclimating to the tactics of Johnny Heitinga, who is in his second stint managing the Amsterdam giants, the travelling supporters may not arrive at Overijssel filled with optimism.

Their tempered expectation may also stem from last week's unconvincing 2-0 victory over promoted Telstar, who created several promising chances in Amsterdam but were ultimately defeated by two goals from Wout Weghorst.

Since Ajax have only won two of their last six encounters with Go Ahead Eagles since their victory in February 2022, Heitinga’s squad cannot afford to take this match lightly.

Go Ahead Eagles Eredivisie form:

Ajax Eredivisie form:

Team News

Twigt, who received a red card last week, is suspended, and Soren Tengstedt is unavailable due to injury.

The hosts will also evaluate Pim Saathof's status regarding a knee injury ahead of the game.

With last season's top scorer Jakob Breum absent last week, Kowet will rely on Victor Edvardsen, who scored eight league goals last season, to take responsibility for the hosts in the attacking third.

Weghorst remains Ajax’s primary attacking threat, having scored a match-winning double that helped salvage last season.

Steven Berghuis, with his creative ability, could be instrumental in unlocking the home side's defence as he seeks to add to his two assists this season.

While Vitezslav Jaros was busier than might have been expected, Ajax can trust in his shot-stopping if Go Ahead Eagles fashion goalscoring chances.

Youri Regeer was withdrawn due to injury against Telstar, potentially ruling him out this weekend; Josip Sutalo, Branco van den Boomen and Brian Brobbey are also unlikely to feature due to injuries.

Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:

Busser; Deijl, Nauber, Kramer, James; Linthorst, Meulensteen; Margaret, Edvardsen, Suray; Smit

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Jaros; Gaaei, Bouwman, Baas, Wijndal; Berghuis, Klaassen, Taylor; Traore; Weghorst, Moro

We say: Go Ahead Eagles 1-2 Ajax

While a draw remains a plausible outcome, considering that four of the last six and five of the previous eight encounters have ended in stalemates, Weghorst’s form and Ajax's overall attacking quality should enable the Amsterdam team to notch a narrow win at De Adelaarshorst.

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