A chance to pick up consecutive wins for the first time since August is on the cards for Utrecht when they welcome Ajax to the Stadion Galgenwaard on Sunday afternoon.
The teams are separated by two places and four points heading into another edition of this fixture, which has proven to be a guaranteed source of thrill over the years.
Contents
- 1 Utrecht vs Ajax prediction: Timely return to winning ways for struggling visitors
- 2 Most recent H2Hs: Utrecht eyeing back-to-back wins for the first time in 13 years
- 3 Utrecht preview: Victor Jensen still unfit to feature
- 4 Ajax preview: Injury-plagued second spell for Kasper Dolberg continues
- 5 Player to watch – Miguel Rodriguez
Utrecht vs Ajax prediction: Timely return to winning ways for struggling visitors
Key stats
- Ajax are on a run of 12 matches across all competitions since they managed their last clean sheet against Heracles back in August.
- Seven of the last nine matches involving the Amsterdam-based outfit have yielded at least three goals.
- Both Ajax and Utrecht have conceded the first goal in four of their last five outings, but now have the opportunity to address their susceptibility to being caught out early on in games this weekend.
Correct score prediction: Utrecht 1-2 Ajax
Ajax's bright start to the campaign has taken a downward spiral in recent weeks, but there is more than enough quality in the visitors' ranks to spark a change in fortune.
A victory just before the upcoming international break would be exactly what the doctor ordered for Ajax, and we are backing them to emerge triumphant.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Ajax narrowly given the edge
- HOME: 17/10 (2.70) – 37%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- AWAY: 7/5 (2.40) – 41.7%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Only current Eredivisie leaders Feyenoord have picked up more points in home matches this term than Utrecht, although Sunday's hosts are second-favourites to secure a win this weekend.
Ron Jans's men narrowly beat NEC in their last league outing to snap a run of consecutive defeats before playing out a 1-1 stalemate in Thursday's Europa League meeting.
For Ajax, November could hardly have started on a worse note as they let a 1-0 lead slip against Heerenveen to kick off the month, after which a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Turkish giants Galatasaray ensured.
Despite this, Fred Grim's men have been touted as favourites to carry the day this weekend on enemy territory, where they have picked up just one victory from five league matches so far.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Utrecht eyeing back-to-back wins for the first time in 13 years
A 4-0 triumph in the most recent meeting saw Utrecht claim their biggest win over Ajax and a second victory in four clashes since October 2023.
The home side are starting to gradually gain the upper hand in this fixture and now have their sights set on recording consecutive wins.
Netherlands Eredivisie 20/04/25
FC Utrecht
Ajax
Netherlands Eredivisie 04/12/24
Ajax
FC Utrecht
Netherlands Eredivisie 15/09/24
Ajax
FC Utrecht
Netherlands Eredivisie 03/03/24
Ajax
FC Utrecht
Netherlands Eredivisie 22/10/23
FC Utrecht
Ajax
Utrecht preview: Victor Jensen still unfit to feature
After managing just two league goals throughout last season, Jensen scored three times in as many games to start the current campaign, but unfortunately suffered a muscle problem back in August, which has ruled him out of action since.
Fellow Dane Niklas Vesterlund is also out for the home side with a knee injury, while Ivar Jenner is down with a knock.
Predicted lineup: Barkas(GK), Horemans, Didden, Viergever, El Karouani, Engwanda, Zechiel, De Wit, Rodriguez, Haller & Blake
Utrecht's last five matches:
- Utrecht 1-1 Porto (Europa League)
- Utrecht 1-0 NEC (Eredivisie)
- AZ Alkmaar 4-1 Utrecht (Eredivisie)
- Freiburg 2-0 Utrecht (Europa League)
- Utrecht 2-1 Volendam (Eredivisie)
Ajax preview: Injury-plagued second spell for Kasper Dolberg continues
Back at the Johan Cruyff Arena after six years away at Nice, Sevilla, Hoffenheim and Anderlecht, Dolberg has barely had an opportunity to impress, having featured just once this term due to an abdominal strain.
The striker is one of three guaranteed absentees for Ajax this weekend, alongside Steven Berghuis and Branco van den Boomen.
Predicted lineup: Pasveer(GK), Wijndal, Baas, Itakura, Rosa, Taylor, Regeer, Godts, Gloukh, Moro & Weghorst
Ajax's last five matches:
- Ajax 0-3 Galatasaray (Champions League)
- Ajax 1-1 Heerenveen (Eredivisie)
- Twente 2-3 Ajax (Eredivisie)
- Chelsea 5-1 Ajax (Champions League)
- Ajax 0-2 AZ Alkmaar (Eredivisie)
Player to watch – Miguel Rodriguez
Rodriguez scored seven times and assisted another three goals in his debut campaign with the Utrecht senior team last time out, where he announced himself as one of the Eredivisie's brightest youngsters.
A tough start to proceedings this term saw him net just twice in the first 18 matches, but Rodriguez has found the back of the net in consecutive games since to double his tally.
The Spaniard netted a double on his last appearance against Ajax, while also picking up the man-of-the-match award.