Ajax vs Sparta – News and Probable Lineups

On Saturday, two of the Eredivisie’s struggling teams will aim to find their groove as Ajax takes on Sparta Rotterdam at Johan Cruyff Arena for matchday 27.

The home side will look to initiate a positive change under newly appointed manager Oscar Garcia, while the visitors are eager to prevent Maurice Steijn from becoming the next managerial victim following a challenging spell.

Match overview

After a narrow defeat for the title against PSV Eindhoven last season, Ajax approached the current campaign as one of the frontrunners. Despite a strong start that included an unbeaten streak of eight matches, the 36-time Dutch champions quickly fell six points behind the top of the table, a gap that has since expanded.

Ajax’s domestic issues were worsened by a lackluster Champions League campaign, as they lost six out of eight group-stage games, with half of those defeats occurring under Johnny Heitinga before his dismissal in early November.

Fred Grim took over following Heitinga’s departure but his time was cut short after a 3-1 loss to Groningen last Saturday, adding to a downward trend for de Godenzonen, who have managed only one victory in their last seven competitive matches.

With no trophies in sight, Ajax’s primary aim is to return to European competition. They currently lag five points and three places behind Feyenoord in second, making immediate Champions League qualification unlikely at this point.

However, Ajax is only two points away from third-placed NEC, who will visit champions-elect PSV Eindhoven this weekend. This could present Saturday’s hosts with a chance to move into the Champions League playoff position.

Few matchups in Dutch football have been as one-sided as the encounters between Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam, with the Amsterdam giants remaining unbeaten in their last 19 meetings, although recent performances have raised concerns about this streak.

After securing five straight Eredivisie victories around New Year’s Day, Sparta rose from 10th to fifth place in the league, achieving their longest winning stretch since 1993.

However, Maurice Steijn’s team then encountered consecutive draws with Fortuna Sittard and NEC, followed by two defeats against AZ Alkmaar and Heerenveen.

A recent 1-1 draw with PEC Zwolle saw Sparta squander two points late in the match, leaving the Rotterdam team without a win in their last five league outings ahead of the clash with Ajax.

With only three points gathered from the last 15 on offer—the second fewest in the Eredivisie—De Kasteelheren could be at risk of sliding out of the European qualification spots if they suffer another loss at a ground where the visitors have not tasted victory since 1989.

As they face a side boasting the best home defensive record in the league, Sparta will need their attack to perform better, especially considering they have scored more than once in only two of their last eight away fixtures.

Team News

Vitezslav Jaros and Oleksandr Zinchenko continue to be unavailable due to knee injuries, while Ko Itakura is out with a back issue.

Wout Weghorst, who scored twice in the previous encounter in October, will also miss the match as he serves a one-match suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season against Groningen.

Weghorst’s absence opens the door for Kasper Dolberg to lead the line in attack, as the Danish forward looks to break a six-game goal drought.

Seventeen-year-old Lushendry Martes is likely to be unavailable for the trip to Ajax, having missed the last four matches due to injury.

Midfielder Mike Kleijn will undergo a late fitness test after leaving the match against Zwolle with an injury.

Ajax probable starting XI:

Paes; Rosa, Sutalo, Baas, Wijndal; Klaassen, Reeer, Sturgeon; Bounida, Dolberg, Godts

Sparta Rotterdam probable starting XI:

drum; Quintero, Martins Indi, Young, Sambo; Kitolano, Clement; Mito, Santos, Van Bergen; Lauritsen

Ajax will be hopeful that the appointment of Oscar Garcia will result in the revival of their form as they seek to finish the season strongly.

Their history against this weekend’s opponents is favorable, and we anticipate that the hosts will manage to secure a victory when all is said and done.