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Ajax
Eredivisie | Gameweek 33
May 21, 2023 at 1.30pm UK
Amsterdam Arena
FC Utrecht

Ajax
3 - 1
Utrecht

Bergwijn (20'), Brobbey (68'), Klaassen (90+3')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Douvikas (49')
Douvikas (75')

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

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Eredivisie clash between Ajax and FC Utrecht, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Ajax play host to FC Utrecht on Sunday afternoon knowing that only a win will do if they wish to retain hope of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

At a time when the home side sit five points adrift of second-placed PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie table, the visitors are in seventh after a two-match winning streak.


Match preview

Ajax Amsterdam coach Johnny Heitinga reacts on February 16, 2023© Reuters

On the same day that Feyenoord were celebrating their shock title triumph, Ajax were left increasingly frustrated with their current predicament having seen their game at Groningen abandoned after 10 minutes due to crowd trouble.

That led to Johnny Heitinga's team needing to refocus, now sitting behind fourth-placed AZ Alkmaar as they bid to achieve a Europa League spot as a bare minimum.

Heading into the final quarter of the hastily-rearranged fixture, Ajax found themselves level with their already-relegated hosts, but they rallied to secure a 3-2 victory which could prove important.

Realistically, overturning a five-point deficit to PSV Eindhoven with two games left is not achievable, leaving Heitinga and his squad to do everything possible to guarantee third.

Nevertheless, AZ play host to PSV next weekend, and a win on Sunday has the potential to create a number of beneficial scenarios for Ajax when they travel to FC Twente.

From the perspective of Utrecht, they are ending the season as one of the form teams in the division as they look to build momentum ahead of the playoffs for the final European spot.

Four wins have been posted from five games - the only defeat coming by a 3-1 scoreline at Feyenoord - and Michael Silberbauer will feel that sixth place is still a possibility even with Ajax on their schedule.

With 25 points from 16 matches, Utrecht possess one of the best away records in the division, just three points short of the total accumulated by PSV.

Ajax prevailed in the reverse fixture all the way back on August 28, yet Utrecht will feel the dethroned champions are there to be beaten when they face the prospect of having to settle for Europa Conference football if they fail to win either of their last two games.

Ajax Eredivisie form:


Ajax form (all competitions):


FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:


Team News

Steven Bergwijn in action for the Netherlands in March 2022© Reuters

Ajax boss Heitinga made some surprise positional changes last time out, using 17-year-old Jorrel Hato in central defence and Steven Bergwijn in a role behind the main striker.

While the switches proved effective, Heitinga may consider moving Hato to left-back, resulting in Edson Alvarez dropping into defence and Davy Klaassen coming into the midfield.

Netherlands international Steven Berghuis remains on the sidelines through injury, as does youngster Kian Fitz-Jim.

Silberbauer could name the same Utrecht XI which started the 2-0 win over RKC Waalwijk with Zakaria Labyad - who scored as a substitute in that game - having to settle for a spot among the replacements.

Amin Younes and Django Warmerdam are most likely to be available for Utrecht after injury issues.


Ajax possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Rensch, Timber, Alvarez, Hato; Klaassen, Taylor; Kudus, Bergwijn, Tadic; Brobbery

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Klaiber, Van der Hoorn, Viergever, Maarel; Toornstra, Bozdogan; Boussaid, Van de Streek, Ramselaar; Douvikas


SM words green background

We say: Ajax 2-0 FC Utrecht

With Utrecht having built up a head of steam of late, this could prove to be a tricky encounter for Ajax when they are under pressure. However, rediscovering their goalscoring touch last time out can only benefit them, and we feel that the home side should run out the victors.



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


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data


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Game History

How you voted: Ajax vs Utrecht

Ajax
87.5%
Draw
6.3%
FC Utrecht
6.3%
16
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Ajax's Davy Klaassen during the warm up before the match on February 23, 2022
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1PSV EindhovenPSV77002542121
2AZ AlkmaarAZ75111741316
3FC UtrechtUtrecht6510116516
4FC Twente7421135814
5Ajax5311103710
6Feyenoord6240126610
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16NAC BredaNAC Breda7205514-96
17Almere CityAlmere City7025218-162
18RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk7007319-160


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