Perhaps the best match of the season: Feyenoord against Ajax. An always charged match that is guaranteed to provide entertainment this time too, especially for neutral viewers. The difference between the two clubs is five points in favour of the Rotterdammers. Can the home side extend this lead, or will the Amsterdammers strike? You can read it in our preview with the latest news, betting tip and quotes.
Feyenoord – Latest Team News & Statistics
Feyenoord are doing well this season. The team lost just one game (4-3 to PSV) in the Eredivisie so far. The Rotterdammers are top of the league and are four points ahead of AZ and five points ahead of both Ajax and PSV.
Feyenoord, meanwhile, have accumulated an unbeaten run of nine games. Of this run, three games all ended in a 1-1 draw. This was the case against FC Utrecht, Fortuna Sittard and NEC. The remaining six games were often won convincingly, including the most recent match against FC Groningen. Arne Slot and his men won 3-0 in Groningen courtesy of goals from Igor Paixão, Orkun Kökcü and Santiago Giménez.
Despite the absence of Gernot Trauner, the Rotterdammers have got it right defensively. With 14 goals against, only FC Twente have fewer. Quinten Timber is also missing for this classic due to injury.
Ajax – Latest Team News & Statistics
Things looked a little less rosy for Ajax recently. The last time they recorded an Eredivisie victory was on 22 October last year. That was when the club won 4-1 against RKC Waalwijk. Since then, the team lost once (1-2 to PSV) and played four draws against clubs like Vitesse and FC Emmen.
Last weekend, Ajax played against FC Twente. No goals were scored, but cards were drawn, including a direct red card for Devyne Rensch. The 19-year-old defender had to leave the pitch after 35 minutes. Although he made the foul, Rensch got injured himself. There was brief question whether he could save the classic, but it now passes him by anyway. Because of the red card, Rensch is suspended for one match. Who will fill his spot alongside Jurriën Timber is not yet known.
Despite the mediocre results, Ajax is in third place with an equal number of points as PSV. The difference with Feyenoord is now five points. So an Amsterdam win won’t hurt Ajax, as it will close the gap a bit more.
Feyenoord – Ajax Previous encounters
Feyenoord against Ajax is always a match with a lot of emotion. Yet this time, the classic brings extra excitement. For it is the first time Steven Berghuis will play in a full Kuip again, but this time as an Ajax player. A year and a half ago, he made his transfer from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, which caused anger and disbelief among many supporters.
The last time Feyenoord picked up a win over Ajax was in 2019. A while ago, but the beating was big. It was 6-2 at De Kuip. In the six encounters after that, Ajax proved too strong each time. Last time, the game ended 3-2, at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Betting on Feyenoord – Ajax: Betting Tip & Quote
Although Feyenoord are in better form than Ajax, the bookmakers do not have a favourite. The odds are almost equal. A Rotterdam win has a quote of 2.63, while a win by the Amsterdammers has a quote of 2.60.
Now the big question is: who will win the classic? Feyenoord’s defence is strong, judging by the few goals against so far. In the past five Eredivisie games, Feyenoord have only conceded two goals. Ajax have conceded no fewer than eight in the past five games. Given their current form, we think Feyenoord are the stronger team. Our betting tip is therefore: Feyenoord will win. At Bet365, that means a odds of 2.63.