Dutch Eredivisie: AFC Ajax Amsterdam versus FC Groningen – Preview
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AFC-Ajax-c38228 Amsterdam will clash with the stunning the FC Groningen at the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday, 10
April. The Amsterdammers won 3-0 easily against the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Heracles-Almelo-c39520 while the Green-White-Army emerged victorious 3-2 against the VVV-Venlo last week.
AFC Ajax Amsterdam
Expectation were high in Amsterdam at the start of the season that the Amsterdammers will win the Eredivisie title this season after finishing second in the league table last term. However, it was not the case, as De Joden spilled points regularly throughout
the season.
However, they are back on track and currently placed third in the league table. They are trailing the league leaders, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/PSV-c40281 Eindhoven by five and three points respectively. With five matches left to play in the season,
they have a good chance to lift the Eredivisie title. However, they will certainly need some luck and better results in all remaining encounters to emerge as the Dutch champions.
The Amsterdammers have a good record while playing in front of their home crowd, as they were restricted to bag all points in four of their 15 encounters. They have an overall record of 29 played, 17 wins, 7 drawn and 5 defeats.
Frank de Boer, De Joden’s manager, is looking confident to play in the UEFA Champions League next season, as they trail the last Champions League play-offs spot by three points. Boer will be looking to bag maximum points in the upcoming encounter to fancy
his side’s chances of lifting the Eredivisie title.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Groningen-c39119
The Groningen outfit stunned everyone this season with their superb performances. However, the Green-Whiter-Army would be a little disappointed that they could not hold onto their good form throughout the season, as they were looking title contenders earlier
this year.
The Pride of the North are currently placed sixth in the league table, trailing the last Champions League spot by a mammoth 11 points. With not much matches left to play in the season, Europe’s most prestigious club competition berth looks far-fetched. However,
they will look to finish the season in the top five Eredivisie sides.
The Green-White-Army have performed brilliantly in front of their home crowd, but their poor show on the road has cost them badly. They lost six of their 14 matches away from their home crowd. The Green-White-Army have an overall record of 29 played, 15
wins, 5 drawn and 9 defeats. They will be looking to improve their record on the road and bag maximum points in the upcoming encounter.
Players to watch
The Moroccan national, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mounir-El-Hamdaoui-c26905, will look to score goals for his side, as he was reinstated to the team’s first action last week. He is the top goal scorer for his side, scoring 13 goals in 22 games. It will be hard for the Green-White-Army defenders
to restrict the prolific striker from finding the back of the net.
Tim Matavz will lead the Green-White-Army’s attack pack. He is in supreme form this season, as he has scored 15 goals in 25 appearances. He will be the key player for the visitors if they manage to bag a point or more in this encounter.
Head-to-Head statistics
The Amsterdammers have won three of their last five encounters against the Pride of the North. One match ended in a stalemate and the Green-White-Army emerged victorious in the remaining encounter.
Prediction
It will be a tough encounter, as both sides are in good form. However, the Amsterdammers good form at Amsterdam Arena puts them the favourites to win the encounter 2-0.
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