Off the back of a much-needed return to winning ways, Ajax will set out to kick off November on a positive note when they welcome Heerenveen to the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday.
Like their hosts, this weekend's visitors will also head into the clash fresh from a win in their most recent outing, setting the scene for an exciting affair this weekend with both teams going full throttle.
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Ajax vs Heerenveen prediction: Happy outing for hosts
Key stats
- Ajax have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 10 matches across all competitions.
- Unsurprisingly, six of De Godenzonen's last seven matches have yielded more than two goals, while five have ended with both teams scoring.
- Heerenveen are currently on a seven-game unbeaten streak.
- None of the away side's matches during that span has produced fewer than three goals.
Correct score prediction: Ajax 3-1 Heerenveen
Ajax have shown less quality than they actually possess in recent weeks, but the victory over Twente last time out could just be the catalyst for a renaissance.
We are backing the Amsterdam-based giants to come out on top here without breaking too much sweat.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Little faith in visitors pulling off a shock win
- HOME: 8/15 (1.53) – 65.2%
- DRAW: 18/5 (4.60) – 21.7%
- AWAY: 4/1 (5.00) – 20%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
After going behind to Kristian Hlynsson's opener against Twente, Ajax were seemingly headed for a third straight defeat before three goals in seven minutes from Wout Weghorst, Oscar Gloukh and Mika Godts turned the game on its head.
Johny Heitinga's men have not won back-to-back competitive matches since April, but have been given a 65.2% chance of ending that run this weekend.
On the other hand, Heerenveen will need to upset the odds to emerge victorious here, with their win probability currently at only 20% despite a 3-0 KNVB Beker victory over VVV-Venlo on Tuesday, which means Robin Veldman's side are now without defeat over the last seven weeks.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Near-perfect dominance from Ajax
Courtesy of 2-0 and 1-0 triumphs last time out, Ajax completed a league double over Heerenveen for the fifth time in six seasons.
Consequently, Saturday's hosts have won 13 of the last 14 competitive meetings with this weekend's visitors.
Netherlands Eredivisie 19/01/25
Heerenveen
Ajax
Netherlands Eredivisie 11/08/24
Ajax
Heerenveen
Netherlands Eredivisie 11/02/24
Heerenveen
Ajax
Netherlands Eredivisie 05/11/23
Ajax
Heerenveen
Netherlands Eredivisie 12/03/23
Heerenveen
Ajax
Ajax preview: Consistent run of results needed
Ajax recently went on a four-game winless run that currently has them six points shy of PSV Eindhoven at the top of the Eredivisie standings and bottom of the Champions League group phase after three rounds of matches.
As a result, the 36-time Dutch champions cannot afford any more slip-ups in the immediate future domestically or on the continental scene to avoid leaving themselves with too much work to do.
Predicted lineup: Pasveer(GK), Rosa, Sutalo, Baas, Mokio, Regeer, Taylor, Moro, Gloukh, Godts & Weghorst
Ajax's last five matches:
- Twente 2-3 Ajax (Eredivisie)
- Chelsea 5-1 Ajax (Champions League)
- Ajax 0-2 AZ Alkmaar (Eredivisie)
- Sparta Rotterdam 3-3 Ajax (Eredivisie)
- Marseille 4-0 Ajax (Champions League)
Heerenveen preview: Upturn in form after shaky start to campaign
Heerenveen failed to win any of their four pre-season outings, and this set the tone for a poor start to the season as they went the first five games without a win.
However, De Superfriezen have since won five and drawn two of their subsequent seven matches ahead of Saturday's journey to the Dutch capital.
Predicted lineup: Klaverboer(GK), Zagaritis, Willemsen, Van Overeem, Braude, Brouwers, Meerveld, Linday, Rivera, Vente & Trenskow
Heerenveen's last five matches:
- Venlo 0-3 Heerenveen (KNVB Beker)
- Heerenveen 3-3 NAC Breda (Eredivisie)
- Telstar 2-3 Heerenveen (Eredivisie)
- Heerenveen 4-1 Zwolle (Friendly)
- Heerenveen 2-1 SBV Excelsior (Eredivisie)
Player to watch – Wout Weghorst
Four days after grabbing his side's only goal in a 5-1 demolition at Stamford Bridge, Weghorst started Ajax's impressive comeback against Twente with a well-taken equaliser in the early exchanges of the second half.
The 33-year-old striker has scored seven goals in 11 outings this term and is just four strikes shy of his entire 2024/25 tally of 11.
Trailing Feyenoord's Ayase Ueda in the Golden Boot race by five goals, Weghorst will be eager to come up with the goods once again this weekend.