The final game of the weekend in the Dutch Eredivisie takes place at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. Ajax host AZ Alkmaar in a match which has serious implications for the title race this season.
Ajax begin the weekend in 1st place on 53 points while AZ are second in the table on 50 points so there is everything to play for in this game.
Ajax come into the match having defeated Getafe 2-1 at home in the Europa League on Thursday night but it was not enough to see them qualify for the next round. A 2-0 loss away from home in the 1st leg saw Ajax eliminated 3-2 on aggregate. Despite going out of the competition, the victory was important as Ajax had lost their previous 2 matches. In addition to the defeat at Getafe, Ajax lost away against Heracles in the Eredivisie.
With no European football for the remainder of the season, Ajax can concentrate on domestic matters starting with this game. Trends show Ajax are unbeaten in 27 of their last 31 Eredivisie games and they have won each of their last 4 at home. The wins have come over ADO Den Haag, Sparta Rotterdam, PSV Eindhoven and RKC Waalwijk.
Ajax have won 19 of their last 20 home league matches, losing only one. They have scored 3 or more goals in 13 of their last 17 Eredivisie games at the Johan Cruijff Arena but have kept only 2 clean sheets in their last 6.
AZ make the trip to Amsterdam having also been eliminated from the Europa League on Thursday night. They lost 2-0 in Austria against LASK having previously drawn the home leg 1-1. That result means AZ have won only one of their last 5 matches in all competitions. The victory came at home against PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie but there have been defeats at Twente and at home against NAC Breda.
Away form shows AZ have lost only 2 of their last 9 away games in the Eredivisie but both defeats have come in their last 3 away matches. They lost 2-0 at Sparta Rotterdam and 2-0 at Twente. However, AZ have won 6 of those 9 away games and have scored 2 or more goals in 5 of them.
Team news and Ajax are without the injured defender Joel Veltman who is not expected to return from a knee injury until April . Zakaria Labyad, David Neres, Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui are doubtful.
AZ have 3 doubts including experienced defender Ron Vlaar who has a thigh injury. Pantelis Hatzidiakos and Stijn Wuytens are also struggling for fitness.
Ajax will be keen to bounce back from their elimination from the Europa League as quickly as possible and this game is the perfect opportunity. Ajax are very strong at home and although they may concede a goal in this game, they should have enough to come through and take maximum points.