Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
Ajax
Match Time & Date:
19/02/2023
16:45
Prediction: 3-1
Sparta Rotterdam
After coming from behind to beat RKC at the weekend, Ajax will look to stay in the title race when they take on Sparta Rotterdam on Matchday 22. The reigning champions have been showing signs of improvement, and, no doubt, new boss John Heitinga is capable of helping the Amsterdammers defend their trophy. Brian Brobby could sneak into the starting XI after scoring as a substitute against RKC, while Steven Bergwijn is a major doubt due to the lack of fitness.
The Rotterdammers, on the other hand, aim to build on a hard-fought 2-1 win over Go Ahead Eagles, but given the importance of Sunday’s clash for the title-chasing hosts, we do not believe that the underdogs are capable of claiming a major scalp at Johan Cruijff Arena. Baring any fresh injury worries, Maurice Steijn is unlikely to make changes to the team that defeated G.A. Eagles at the weekend.
Highlighted Player (Davy Klaassen):
Davy Klaassen is a product of Ajax’s youth academy. He played for the Amsterdammers at youth level from 2004 to 2012 and he made his debut for the senior team against Olympique Lyon in the Champions League group stages. Klaassen was born on 22 February, 1993 in Hilversum, Netherlands and he plays as an attacking midfielder.
He is capable of playing as a secondary striker as well and it has to be noted that the Dutch footballer scored 13 goals in 31 league appearances for Ajax in the 2015/2016 Eredivisie campaign. Klaassen has four caps for Netherlands U21 team and he made his debut for the first team on 5 March, 2014 in a friendly against France.
The Dutch midfielder scored his first goal for the national team against Spain on 31 March, 2015 and, no doubt, that was one of the brightest moments of his career. The Ajax footballer won his third Eredivisie trophy with the Amsterdammers in the 2013/2014 campaign.
Highlighted Team (Sparta Rotterdam):
Founded back on April 1, 1888, Sparta Rotterdam is considered one of the oldest clubs in the Netherlands. De Kasteelheren (the Castle Lords) welcome their opponents at Het Kasteel, and they have a great rivalry with Feyenoord. Yet another Rotterdam club Excelsior are considered Sparta’s fierce rivals as well.
Sparta Rotterdam wear white shirts with red strips when playing on home soil, while sky blue is the dominant colour of their away kit. De Kasteelheren have won six Eredivisie trophies. Sparta were the dominant force in the Dutch football in the 1910s, with the team winning their last league title in the 1958/59 season.
De Kasteelheren have won three Dutch Cup trophies as well (1957/58, 1961/62, 1965/66). In the 1985/86 season Sparta last participated in the UEFA Cup, with the team beating Hamburger SC in round 1, while suffering elimination to Borussia Monchengladbach in the second round. Sparta’s stadium Het Kasteel can hold up to 11,926 spectators.
Arsenal 
Ipswich 
Brighton
Brentford 
Lazio 
Atalanta 
Juventus 
Fiorentina 
Milan 
AS Roma
Sporting 
Benfica 
