Feyenoord can take a big step towards the Eredivisie on Sunday when they meet bitter rivals Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena. De Klassieker kicks off at 1.30pm.
- Follow Football-Oranje on Twitter
Feyenoord currently sit six points clear of Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie table and the 188th meeting between the two sides will go a long way to deciding who will be lifting the title this season.
Ajax boss Peter Bosz is clear on the mission of his side, win or the title race is over, he said, “It is the big game with the title at stake. It’s simple: we must win. A draw is not enough. We have to win to stay in the race. It is a very simple task, but a task that is difficult to implement.”
The away side have not won the title since 1999 but a win on Sunday would put them in a commanding position with only six games left. However, coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst doesn’t think the game against Ajax will be totally decisive, “This is not a decisive duel, but if we get a good result, we are taking a big step towards the title. We go for the win, there is great confidence in the group, which is normal when you are where you are. That must radiate. ”
Team News
Peter Bosz is sweating over the fitness of Kasper Dolberg, with the young Dane a massive doubt to be ready. Bertrand Traore would be the obvious replacement but the Ajax coach has also tested Justin Kluivert and David Neres in the striker role.
Possible Ajax line-up: Onana, Veltman, Sinkgraven, Sanchez, Viergever, Schone, Klaassen, Ziyech, Younes, Kluivert, Traore
Feyenoord boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has a few decisions to make ahead of the clash with Tonny Vilhena suspended, while Terence Kongolo and Bilal Basacikoglu are injured. Eljero Elia is also a doubt and may only be fit enough for the bench. Bart Nieuwkoop has been mentioned by van Bronckhorst as a possible replacement for Vilhena in the midfield.
Possible Feyenoord line-up: Jones, Karsdorp, Nelom, van der Heijden, Botteghin, Nieuwkoop, El Ahmadi, Toornstra, Berghuis, Kuyt, Jorgensen
Odds
Ajax 10/11 Draw 5/2 Feyenoord 29/10
Previous meetings
The reverse fixture in Rotterdam earlier this season finished 1-1 with Dirk Kuyt netting a last minute equaliser to get a point for Feyenoord. Ajax have generally bossed the meetings between the two sides in Amsterdam, with Feyenoord’s last league win at the Amsterdam Arena back in 2005.
In 154 previous league meetings, Ajax have come out on top in 67 of those, while 44 have resulted in draws and the other 44 seeing Feyenoord triumph.
Key players
Davy Klaassen
The Ajax captain stated on Friday that they are a better side than Feyenoord and the midfielder will be instrumental if the Amsterdam side are to prove him right. Klaassen is Ajax’s 2nd top scorer this season with 12 goals and has also contributed seven assists. With Dolberg possibly out of the game, Klaassen will need to help take over the goal scoring mantle on Sunday.
Nicolai Jorgensen
The Danish striker has been crucial in Feyenoord’s rise to the top of the table this season, netting 19 goals and contributing 12 assists in 27 league matches. Jorgensen heads to Amsterdam full of confidence having scored four times in his last two games and he will be a huge test for the Ajax centre backs.
Want more?
Our Eredivisie podcast this week features discussion around the Ajax v Feyenoord clash. Click on the links below to listen.
MESSAGE: Football_Oranje suspended on Twitter. Follow our new account @foot_oranje for all the latest Dutch football news.
Follow
Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter
