Round 19 of the 2025-26 Eredivisie season kicks off with Ajax hosting Go Ahead Eagles at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The teams experienced vastly different fortunes on cup duty last time out as the hosts were ruthlessly dismantled 6-0 by AZ Alkmaar, while the visitors edged past Heracles on penalties to secure a quarter-final berth.
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Ajax vs Go Ahead Eagles prediction: Comprehensive riposte for De Godenzonen
Key stats
- Each of Ajax's last five matches has yielded at least three goals.
- Go Ahead Eagles are unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions.
- The Deventer-based outfit have not been involved in ill-tempered affairs of late, with their last seven outings producing fewer than five cautions.
- Meanwhile, only one of Ajax's last seven games has crossed the five-booking threshold.
Correct score prediction: Ajax 3-2 Go Ahead Eagles
Ajax's thrashing at the hands of AZ was in keeping with their defensive frailties, which have seen them concede 12 times over the last six matches.
While we can see the Amsterdam giants ending another torrid day at the office in defence, we fancy them to resume normal service at the top end of the pitch and come away with maximum points.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Ajax favoured to emerge triumphant
- HOME: 10/21 (1.48) – 67.7%
- DRAW: 15/2 (4.80) – 20.8%
- AWAY: 12/1 (5.75) – 17.4%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Having won seven and drawn one of their last eight matches, Ajax were in the ascendancy heading into Wednesday's heavyweight clash against AZ, where they suffered their heaviest defeat of the campaign so far.
Nonetheless, Fred Grim's men have been backed to put their midweek disappointment behind them with an instant return to winning ways on home turf this weekend.
Go Ahead Eagles, on the other hand, will head into Saturday's clash as underdogs despite not suffering a defeat since losing 2-1 to FC Twente just over a month ago.
Melvin Boel's men have been given only a 17.4% chance of picking up what would be only a second league victory on the road from 10 attempts.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Five without defeat for Ajax
Winning just one of the most recent nine league meetings between the teams since 2021, Go Ahead Eagles have not fared well in this fixture, where their last win came in August 2023's friendly encounter.
Netherlands Eredivisie 17/08/25
Go Ahead Eagles
Ajax
Netherlands Eredivisie 23/02/25
Ajax
Go Ahead Eagles
Netherlands Eredivisie 26/01/25
Ajax
Go Ahead Eagles
Netherlands Eredivisie 21/09/24
Go Ahead Eagles
Ajax
Netherlands Eredivisie 04/04/24
Ajax
Go Ahead Eagles
Ajax preview: Takehiro Tomiyasu edging closer to debut
While Tomiyasu is not expected to feature for Ajax this weekend, the Japanese international is continuing to build his match fitness after a lengthy period of inactivity.
Alongside Tomiyasu, Steven Berghuis (groin), Wout Weghorst (ankle) and Owen Wijndal (suspension) are also unavailable for the hosts
Predicted lineup: Jaros (GK), Gaaei, Itakura, Baas, Rosa, Klaassen, Regeer, Steur, Gloukh, Dolberg & Godts
Ajax's last five matches:
- AZ Alkmaar 6-0 Ajax (KNVB Beker)
- Telstar 2-3 Ajax (Eredivisie)
- Ajax 4-0 Seraing (Friendly)
- NEC 2-2 Ajax (Eredivisie)
- Excelsior Maassluis 2-7 Ajax (KNVB Beker)
Go Ahead Eagles preview: Dean James walking a suspension tightrope
Having received four yellow cards across his first 16 league outings of the season, James is one caution away from incurring a one-game ban and will need to keep his discipline in check going forward.
Meanwhile, Pim Saathof and Robbin Weijenberg are ruled out with knee problems, while long-term absentee Gerrit Nauber is still a long way off returning from a broken leg.
Predicted lineup: De Busser (GK), James, Meulensteen, Kramer, Deijl, Linthorsrt, Goudmijn, Suray, Edvardsen, Baeten & Smit
Go Ahead Eagles' last five matches:
- Go Ahead Eagles 2-2 (2-1 on pens.) Heracles (KNVB Beker)
- Go Ahead Eagles 2-2 Fortuna Sittard (Eredivisie)
- Go Ahead Eagles 1-1 Groningen (Eredivisie)
- Roda 1-1 (1-3 on pens.) Go Ahead Eagles (KNVB Beker)
- Twente 2-0 Go Ahead Eagles (Eredivisie)
Player to watch – Mika Godts
Signed as a promising youngster from Genk, Mika Godts needed some time to kickstart his Ajax career, but he has now established himself as a key player.
With eight goals and six assists in the league so far, the 20-year-old has the third-most goal contributions of any Eredivisie player, behind Ayase Ueda (19) and Joey Veerman (14).
Godts recently saw his streak of recording a goal or an assist in six straight matches come to an end against AZ, and he will be keen to deliver the goods for his side this weekend.