AFC Ajax Amsterdam vs. SC Heerenveen: Janssen and Assaidi to shine – Dutch Eredivisie preview
It will be an exciting encounter between Ajax Amsterdam and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SC-Heerenveen-c40463, when the two sides lock horns at Amsterdam Arena on Sunday, August 14.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AFC-Ajax-c38228 Amsterdam
The reigning Eredivisie champions would be brimming with confidence after starting the new campaign with a commanding 4-1 win over De Graafschap last week. Although their new signing, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, failed to impress in the final third of the pitch,
the rest of the players staged an entertaining brand of football away from their home turf and secured an easy win in the end.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Derk-Boerrigter-c10972 could not have asked for a better start with their new side, as the duo scored their maiden goals for the Amsterdam giants. Both would be hoping to build on their impressive starts and help defend the Eredivisie title.
Frank de Boer, the Amsterdammers manager, was extremely delighted with his men, as they outclassed De Graafschap last Sunday in every department on the field. The Dutch trainer would be hoping that his side stage another impressive show in front of their
home crowd and secure all three points by the end of the match.
SC Heerenveen
The outfit from Friesland’s morale would be severely dented following their 2-2 stalemate against NEC Nijmegen at Abe Lenstra Stadion last week. The home side played exceptionally for most part of the match, but http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/NEC-c40018’s two late strikes in the closing minutes
of the match denied the hosts from securing all three points.
Ron Jans, Heerenveen head coach, can draw some confidence from the fact that two of the best wingers playing in the Dutch top tier are at his disposal, Luciano Narsingh and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oussama-Assaidi-c28900. Furthermore, the tactician has one of the best strikers available
for selection; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bas-Dost-c7339, who attracted interest from a host of European clubs after his good performances upfront in the 2010/11 campaign.
Jans, however, would be hoping that his back-line stands firm in the upcoming encounter, as his side lost two precious points in last week’s encounter.
Head-to-Head statistics
The Amsterdam giants emerged victorious in four of their last five encounters against Heerenveen, while the Friesland outfit managed to bag all three points in the remaining fixture.
Players to watch
Theo Janssen – AFC Ajax Amsterdam
The 30-year-old is known in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Netherlands-c753 for his exceptional playmaking skills and his powerful long range efforts that make him a constant menace for any opposition. Furthermore, the vastly experienced midfielder is also a free-kick specialist. With his
skills and abilities on the pitch, he could very well be the decisive factor between the two Eredivisie outfits.
Oussama Assaidi – SC Heerenveen
The Moroccan International is undeniably one of the best wingers playing in Eredivisie. The 22-year-old performed impressively last term, providing 11 assists in 31 appearances, and has started the new campaign with the same aggression. It will be hard for
the Amsterdammers defenders to tie down the young winger from creating goalscoring opportunities.
Prediction
Looking at the last five head-to-head encounters between the two sides, Ajax seem clear favourites to bag this match. The game will end in a 3-2 win in favour of the home side.
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