On Thursday night, Ajax host Heerenveen at the Johan Cruyff Arena in the Dutch Cup fourth round, as the two sides look to book their places in the next round.
Ajax are enjoying a good season so far and currently sit second in the Eredivisie table, two points behind league leaders PSV Eindhoven. Thursday’s game is a break from league action, as the team from the Dutch capital look to pick up silverware.
Ajax have beaten HVV Te Werve, Go Ahead Eagles and Roda in the previous rounds of the competition. However, they needed penalty kicks to get past Roda in the last round of the competition.
The Dutch giants have a strong home record in the KNVB Beker of late, winning five of their last six matches. The home side’s recent games on home soil in the cup have been high scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in ten of their last 11 matches.
A big factor in those high scoring home games in the cup is that Ajax have scored at least twice in nine of their last 11 games on home soil in the KNVB Beker.
Heerenveen have enjoyed a mixed campaign so far and currently sit in mid-table in the Dutch top-flight. The KNVB Beker offers the visitors their best chance of silverware, although this is a tough task.
Heerenveen have won seven of their last nine matches in this competition in normal and extra time. The visitors have had a comfortable route to round fourth beating Katwijk, Groene Ster and ODIN ’59.
Heerenveen have won four of their last six away games in this competition in 90 minutes and one in extra-time. Their recent Cup games have been high scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five away matches.
Forebet predicts that Ajax will record a victory in a high scoring game to book their place in the next round of the KNVB Beker.