Feyenoord vs Ajax prediction: NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie betting tips on match 2023-01-21 13:30.
At 'De Classic' in De Kuip, home club Feyenoord will be assuming the role of favourites in this classic matchup against Ajax Amsterdam for the first time since 2014/15. The side from Rotterdam began this round at the top of the tree and have been fairly unthreatened right throughout the season, losing only once (to PSV Eindhoven in September) and piling on eight winning margins of 2+ goals from their 11 Eredivisie triumphs.
Manager Arne Slot has the wind in his sails during his second season at Feyenoord after overseeing six wins from their last seven competitive outings (D1). The only loss of points in that period – a 1-1 draw away to Utrecht – saw them actually wrangle a point back with a 90th minute equaliser in an otherwise underwhelming but rare performance. With a view to defender Gernot Trauner’s injury, Feyenoord strengthened their defences last week with FC Groningen’s Neraysho Kasanwirjo, who played in a Groningen shirt in defeat to Feyenoord last round (0-3).
The alarm bells are now ringing in Amsterdam after three months without a single victory in Eredivisie football (D4, L1). They too fell against PSV Eindhoven during a period of good form, but theirs instead prompted ongoing woes that left them in danger of failing to qualify for European football next season. Upcoming Europa League playoffs against Union Berlin will be another incentive to get back into shape soon.
Their previous lead over Feyenoord in the standings is now a miserable five-point deficit and they could sink to as low as fifth if results – including this game – don’t go their way this weekend. They have remained relatively quiet on the transfer market, with the arrival of goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli as the only real headline move for the time being. A tense atmosphere will greet them at De Kuip, where a large net will be stretched around the entire playing field to prevent the hurling of objects onto the pitch.
Players to watch: For the home club, forward Santiago Giménez scored again last weekend as a substitute, taking his season tally to three goals from nine Eredivisie appearances alongside four goals on the continental stage. Ajax’s Steven Berghuis will be keen to impress against his old club, particularly since his last touch of a ball in an official context was a missed penalty against Argentina. Berghuis featured in the last H2H that was won by Feyenoord in 2019.
Hot stat: Feyenoord are the only undefeated side in the Eredivisie this season when conceding the opening goal (W4, D2).