Marco van Basten’s side would be keen to record their first victory of the new season when his side hosts the defending Dutch champions.
On Eredivisie match-day four, Heerenveen will lock horns against Ajax Amsterdam at Abe Lenstra Stadion on Sunday, September 2.
Heerenveen
The Friesland outfit’s Europa League ambitions were dashed when they lost 4-1 on aggregate to FK Molde. They suffered a 2-0 defeat in the first-leg, and then failed to secure a good result in the return leg at home, losing 2-1.
After crashing out of the Europe’s secondary club competition, the Friesland-based club’s entire focus would be on achieving good results in the Dutch top flight, and finish at least in the top six clubs at the end of the 2012/13 campaign.
Marco van Basten, the Heerenveen boss, would be hoping that his side could manage to secure a good result in the upcoming encounter. However, the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Netherlands-c753 head coach knows that it will not be an easy task to claim all three points against the mighty
Amsterdammers.
Ajax Amsterdam
The Amsterdammers are heading into the match on the back of a morale boosting 5-0 win over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/NAC-Breda-c39983 on August 25.
De Joden dominated proceedings throughout the 90 minutes, and Siem de Jong’s brace coupled with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Niklas-Moisander-c27919, Tobias Sana and Thulani Serero’s strikes secured a convincing win at home.
Frank de Boer, the Ajax head coach, has urged his troops not to take the Friesland outfit lightly, and put in their 100 percent if they are to secure all three points in the upcoming fixture.
“Heerenveen have made rapid improvements to their game. With a bit of luck, they could have bagged four points, two points more than what they have now. Matches between Ajax and Heerenveen are often spectacular, and we are looking forward for a good match”,
the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 player was quoted as saying to Voetbal International.
Head-to-Head statistics
The Amsterdam giants boast an impressive record against the Friesland outfit in recent times, winning all of their last five meetings against Heerenveen.
Players to watch
Felipe Djuricic – Heerenveen
Following the departure of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Luciano-c22574 Narsingh, the Serbian attacker is expected to play a vital role for the Friesland-based club. Should he perform at his best against the Amsterdammers, his side will then surely make life difficult
for the reigning Eredivisie champions.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Siem-de-Jong-c33482 – Ajax Amsterdam
The 23-year-old has thus far netted three goals while setting up two more in three games, and will be keen to add more to his tally in this encounter. He will surely play an integral role should De Joden claim all three points away from home.
Prediction
It will be an exciting battle between the two sides, as both sides play exciting football. The Amsterdam giants’ recent form suggest that it will be a one sided affair, and the visiting side will cruise to an easy win.
Predicted score-line: Heerenveen 0-2 Ajax Amsterdam.
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