Ajax will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Eredivisie this weekend when they face off against PEC Zwolle at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts went into the international break seven points behind league leaders PSV, while the visitors are just one point above Sparta Rotterdam in the relegation playoff spot.
Match preview
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Ajax were enjoying an impressive run of form leading up to the international break, and after drawing their last match 2-2 away to Twente, they are now on 26 points, two off second-placed Utrecht.
That result marked de Godenzonen's 15th consecutive match without defeat across all competitions, while they are unbeaten in their last nine in the top flight, which is the longest active unbeaten run in the division.
Under Francesco Farioli, Ajax have also experienced a notable improvement in their attacking output, as they have already scored 25 this term, including two or more in seven of their last 10 league games.
The hosts have done their best work on their home patch this season, having won all five of their Eredivisie matches here at the Johan Cruijff Arena, as well as both their Europa League matches.
Ajax have been the dominant side in this fixture over the years, having taken four points off this opponent last season, while they are unbeaten in their last five competitive matchups (W4 D1 L0).
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Meanwhile, PEC Zwolle have struggled to find their best form this season and managed to earn just their third win of the campaign ahead of the international break, beating Fortuna Sittard 3-1 at home.
Blauwvingers found themselves a goal down in that match at half time, but they put on a much better performance in the second period, led by Dylan Mbayo, who netted a brace in the comeback win.
That result brought an end to a four-match winless streak for the side dating back to the end of September (W0 D2 L2), a period during which they conceded 11 goals and scored just five themselves.
The visitors will now need to try and deliver a similar performance in this one, but their away record suggests it will not be easy, as they have failed to win a league match on the road since the start of February.
Team News
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Davy Klaasen has scored in four of Ajax's last five league games, taking his tally for the season to six, just two behind the current leading goalscorer in the league Sem Steijn and one behind Troy Parrott.
Ajax are likely to be without at least four players for this match, with Gaston Avila, Sivert Mannsverk, Amourricho Van Axel-Dongen and Bertrand Traore out, while Kenneth Taylor is flagged as a doubt.
The visitors will have to make do without the services of Dave van den Berg, who was sent off in the dying moments of the sides' victory over Fortuna Sittard ahead of the international break.
In terms of injury absentees, Samir Lagsir and Tristan Gooijer are only expected to return from serious knee injuries in the New Year, while Simon Graves is ruled out until next month with a knock.
Ajax possible starting lineup:
Pasveer; Rensch, Sutalo, Baas, Hato; Klaassen, Henderson, Taylor; Akpom, Weghorst, Godts
PEC Zwolle possible starting lineup:
Schendelaar; Floranus, Aertssen, MacNulty, Van der Haar; El Azzouzi, Fichtinger; Namli, Monteiro, Mbayo; Vente
We say: Ajax 3-1 PEC Zwolle
Ajax have made a very impressive start to the season, and announced themselves as genuine title challengers by coming back to beat PSV 3-2 at this venue at the start of the month.
The hosts will be eager to pick up their good form in this match, and given their opponents' away record, we feel that this one should end in a fairly straightforward home win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
