Ajax play host to Feyenoord on Sunday as the current top two sides in the Eredivisie table go head-to-head against each other for the first time this season.
Both teams picked up crucial victories in midweek, with Feyenoord claiming a 1-0 win over PEC Zwolle on Wednesday, while Ajax saw off Twente in a 3-1 triumph on Thursday.
Match preview
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Ajax were on the cusp of dropping points to Twente for the second time this season, but Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's brace off the bench ensured that the league leaders walked away with all three points.
Erik ten Hag's men are now unbeaten in their last five league games, since losing 2-1 at home to Thursday's opponents in December.
De Godenzonen's latest win keeps them three points above their nearest challengers, ahead of Sunday's meeting at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
With 57 goals in 16 games, Ajax have the league's fiercest attack, but they will be going up against a side who alongside Vitesse, possesses the league's meanest defence having conceded only 12 goals.
Something definitely has to give as unstoppable force meets immovable object in what could be a real decider as to who will be crowned champions come May.
Feyenoord made it three wins on the trot courtesy of a Luis Sinisterra strike midway through the second half, 20 minutes after he had come on for Bryan Linssen at half time.
Dick Advocaat's men are one of only three sides to have recorded consecutive victories since the turn of the year, and they have displayed their title credentials on numerous occasions this term.
Should they manage to defeat Ajax and go level on points with them, the chances of a first league title since 2017 would receive a huge boost.
Dutch winger Steven Berghuis has been involved in half of De Stadionclub's 32 league goals so far, having scored 10 and assisted six.
He remains of the few survivors from the title-winning side of four years ago, so he needs no further motivation to deliver another domestic crown at De Kuip.
Ajax Eredivisie form: LWWDDW
Ajax form (all competitions): WWWDDW
Feyenoord Eredivisie form: DWLWWW
Feyenoord form (all competitions): LWLWWW
Team News
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Sebastien Haller has settled in nicely since his record move from West Ham, and he is expected to get the nod over Zakaria Labyad for this one.
Since damaging his thigh against Twente last December, Lassina Traore has been on the sidelines and will not be involved on Sunday.
Lucas Pratto has started consecutive league games since his loan move from River Plate, but he is likely to make way for Nicolai Jorgensen this time.
Feyenoord's Robert Bozenik has returned to training after he had been kept out of action by an ankle injury, but he will not be rushed into action just yet.
Ajax possible starting lineup:
Onana; Tagliafico, Schuurs, Blind, Mazraoui; Klaassen, Gravenberch, Tadic; Promes, Haller, Antony
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Marsman; Geertruida, Spajic, Senesi, Malacia; Toornstra, Fer, Diemers; Berghuis, Jorgensen, Linssen
We say: Ajax 2-1 Feyenoord
This will certainly be a tough game for both sides, but Ajax are the superior team and, coupled with the fact that they are playing at home, we expect them to come out on top.
Top betting tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Ajax win with a probability of 56.44%. A win for Feyenoord had a probability of 23.73% and a draw had a probability of 19.8%.
The most likely scoreline for an Ajax win was 2-1 with a probability of 9.05%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 3-1 (6.9%) and 2-0 (6.26%). The likeliest Feyenoord win was 1-2 (5.72%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (7.91%). The actual scoreline of 1-0 was predicted with a 5.5% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Ajax would win this match.
