Action continues in round 15 of Eredivisie as Fortuna Sittard and Ajax go head to head at Fortuna Arena on Saturday. While the home side will be looking to return to winning ways and strengthen their position in the top half of the table, Ajax head into the weekend seeking back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
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Fortuna Sittard vs Ajax prediction: Ajax to carry the day
Key stats
- There have been at least three goals scored in eight of the last 10 meetings between the two teams, with a combined 40 goals scored across the 10 matches.
- Ajax have opened the scoring in four of their last five games against Fortuna, with a goalless draw in September 2023 being the exception.
- Fortuna Sittard are unbeaten in nine of their last Eredivisie home games, picking up six wins and three draws since April’s 2-0 defeat against Feyenoord.
- Ajax have managed just one win from their most recent 10 competitive away matches, while losing four and claiming five draws since April.
Correct score prediction: Fortuna Sittard 1-3 Ajax
Meetings between Fortuna and Ajax have often served up fireworks in the past and another action-packed contest is on the cards this weekend. Ajax have been utterly dominant in the history of this fixture, and coming off the back of a morale-boosting result against Groningen, we are backing them to come away with the desired result this weekend.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Ajax heavily favoured by bookmakers
- HOME: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
- DRAW: 14/5 (3.80) – 26.3%
- AWAY: 4/5 (1.80) – 55.6%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Fortuna were involved in a share of the spoils for a second consecutive game last Saturday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Heracles at Fortuna Arena.
While it was two points dropped, last weekend’s result was another positive result for Danny Buijs’s men, who have now gone three consecutive matches without defeat, picking up five points from a possible nine, having lost four of the five games preceding this run.
However, next up is the daunting challenge of an opposing side whom they have failed to get the better of in 17 of their last 18 meetings, losing 14 and claiming three draws.
Ajax head into the weekend in high spirits, having secured a 2-0 victory over Groningen on Tuesday courtesy of goals in either half from Mika Godts and Aaron Bouwman.
This was a much-needed result for Fred Grim’s men, who had lost each of their previous four games, including defeats against Galatasaray and Benfica in the Champions League, where they currently sit rock-bottom in the table with five losses in their five games.
With history on their side this weekend, the bookmakers have Ajax as favourites to come out on top at Fortuna Arena, given by their 55.6% win probability.
For Fortuna, who sit ninth in the Eredivisie table with 18 points from 14 games, five points and four places below this weekend’s visitors, a victory is currently priced at 16/5 (4.20), while there is a 26.3% possibility of the spoils being shared.
While we take a deeper look into both teams, you can take a peek at some of FootballWhispers’ best picks and predictions for the European fixtures in today’s free football betting tips.
Most recent H2Hs: Ajax hold a clear upper hand
Ajax have been utterly dominant in this fixture, with Grim’s men going unbeaten in each of their last 13 encounters, claiming 11 wins and two draws since September 2018.
The most recent encounter between the two teams saw Ajax run out 2-0 winners at the Fortuna Arena back in February courtesy of goals from Wout Weghorst and Christian Rasmussen.
Netherlands Eredivisie 09/02/25
Fortuna Sittard
Ajax
Netherlands Eredivisie 18/09/24
Ajax
Fortuna Sittard
Netherlands Eredivisie 10/03/24
Ajax
Fortuna Sittard
Netherlands Eredivisie 03/09/23
Fortuna Sittard
Ajax
Netherlands Eredivisie 09/04/23
Ajax
Fortuna Sittard
Fortuna Sittard preview: Mohamed Ihattaren out to haunt former employers
Ihattaren has been a standout performer for Fortuna this season, with the Moroccan midfielder being instrumental in their solid performance so far.
The 23-year-old set up Kristoffer Peterson’s opener in the 1-1 stalemate against Heracles last weekend to take his goal involvement tally to seven, netting four goals and providing three assists.
Ihattaren moved to Ajax on a season-long loan back in 2022 but failed to make his mark with the Eredivisie giants before returning to parent club Juventus.
Predicted lineup: Branderhorst (GK), Pinto, Adewoye, Marquez, Dahlhaus, Michut, Fosso, Limnios, Ihattaren, Peterson & Sierhuis
Last five games
- Fortuna 1-1 Heracles
- Sparta Rotterdam 1-1 Fortuna
- Fortuna 2-0 Heerenveen
- PSV Eindhoven 5-0 Fortuna
- Germet 0-1 Fortuna
Ajax preview: Duo ruled out through injury
Ajax will have to cope without the services of veteran midfielder Steven Berghuis, who is set to sit out his 10th straight game through a groin injury.
Belgian youngster Jorthy Mokio has missed the last two games since coming off injured against Benfica on November 25, and the 17-year-old is also out of contention for the visitors.
Predicted lineup: Jaros (GK), Regeer, Bouwman, Baas, Wijndal, Klaassen, Itakura, Taylor, Bounida, Weghorst & Godts
Last five games
- Ajax 2-0 Groningen
- Ajax 0-2 Benfica
- Ajax 1-2 Excelsior
- Utrecht 2-1 Ajax
- Ajax 0-3 Galatasaray
Player to watch — Mika Godts
Mika Godts continued his hot form in front of goal against Groningen last weekend, and the Belgian striker will be one to keep an eye on this weekend.
With his strike against Groningen, the 20-year-old now boasts six goal involvements in his last seven matches, scoring four and setting up three more since October 26.
Godts has started 10 of the 14 Eredivisie games this season and should retain his role in the XI, forming the front three with Rayane Bounida, Wout Weghorst and Mika Godts.