Ajax travel to AZ Alkmaar on Sunday afternoon looking to draw level on points with the home side. Ajax are in fifth place after a disappointing season, but a win on Saturday would give them 39 points from 23 games and bring them level with AZ who sit in fourth. AZ have only lost three games at home all season, while Ajax have won just four of their 11 games on the road.
Since returning from the winter break AZ have struggled for consistency. They managed their first win last weekend against Fortuna Sittard thanks to a last minute winner from Dani de Wit. This run of five games without a win in the Eredivisie has allowed Ajax to close the gap to the side. AZ remain reliant on Vangelis Pavlidis to score, with the Greek striker having grabbed 21 goals this season. Yukinari Sugawa leads the side in terms of assists with four.
Ajax are coming in off an entertaining clash with FK Bodø/Glimt in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night. Despite having been dominated for most of the game, Kenneth Taylor’s goal in extra-time gave them a 2-1 win on the night and saw them through to face Aston Villa in the next round. In the league, Ajax have gone three without a win, including letting three points slip late on at home to NEC Nijmegen. Brian Brobbey leads the side with 14 goals this season, while Steven Berghuis is leading the team in assists with eight.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
