Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
There will be fireworks when AZ Alkmaar and Ajax face each other at AFAS Stadion on Matchday 20. AZ Alkmaar are eager to make amends for a 1-0 loss to Utrecht, and we are positive that they will stick to their attacking style of play against Ajax. The likes of Svensson, Taabouni, Vlaar, and de Wit are all likely to miss the game through injuries. The Amsterdammers, on the other hand, aim to move one step closer to defending their trophy.
Ajax are leading the chase for the Eredivisie title, but seeing that PSV are breathing down their neck, we are positive that the reigning champions will go for a win in Sunday’s derby. Since January signing Haller helped the team improve offensively, we believe that there is a big value in betting on over 2.5 goals. Defender Sean Klaiber is out of contention through injury.
Highlighted Player (Bruno Martins Indi):
Bruno Martins Indi was born in Portugal, but his family quickly moved to Rotterdam, where he joined Feyenoord’s youth set-up in 2005. Netherlands international has made his professional debut in 2010 with Feyenoord, where he spent four years as mainstay before a move to FC Porto on the back of impressive display at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Bruno Martins Indi spent most of his career playing as centre-back, but he can equally fill in on various positions in defence. Bruno Martins Indi had been deemed a victim to the extreme recolution in Porto’s central defensive department, having fallen out of favour with Nuno Espirito Santo and even being punished with a place in Porto’s reserves.
During the summer transfer window the 24-year-old defender insisted on a move away from the club with Premier League being his preferred destination. On the final day of the transfer marked Bruno Martins Indi has been set to Stoke City on a season long loan.
Highlighted Team (Ajax):
Ajax is a Dutch football club that was founded on 18 March, 1900. Ajax are well known for their youth academy, which regarded as one of the best youth football schools in the world. The likes of Johan Cruijff, Edwin van der Sar, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Kluivert, Rafael van der Vaart and Marco van Basten are all products of Ajax’s football academy. The Amsterdammers share a big rivalry with Feyenoord and there have always been fireworks when the two teams face each other in De Klassieker.
During the seventies Feyenoord and Ajax were the only two teams who were capable of winning the domestic trophies, while PSV have been playing an important role in Dutch football in the 21st century. PSV and Ajax are regarded as big rivals as well and the two teams square off against each other in De Topper. Ajax play their home games at Amsterdam ArenA, the stadium that was opened on 14 August, 1996. The Amsterdammers won their fourth European Cup (Champions League) trophy in 1995, beating Milan in the title game in Vienna.