**Ajax are heavy favorites at home, but NEC's recent form is about as concerning as it gets** — five straight without a win at an opponent where they've historically had zero luck. 🔴

Ajax are cruising domestically (3W-1D in their last five), though that draw vs Excelsior showed they're not flawless. NEC have picked up a couple draws but got demolished 5-0 by Juventus midweek, a sign things are unraveling fast.

Key storylines:

- **Ajax's attacking depth** is scary with Arokodare, Berghuis, and Edvardsen all fit and firing; NEC will struggle to contain that
- **NEC's defensive fragility** — missing Fonville and Mor, they're paper-thin at the back against a side that loves to cut them apart
- **The H2H dominance** is almost absurd: Ajax have won 40 of the last 58 meetings; this matchup feels predetermined

Expected lineups:

- **AFC Ajax**: ter Stegen, Gaaei, Baas, Henrique, Bouwman, Brandt, Klaassen, Mokio, Berghuis, Arokodare, Edvardsen
- **NEC Nijmegen**: Polster, Nuytinck, Storm, Kabar, Brás, Tadić, Lebreton, Nejašmić, Thomas, Linssen, Chery

Prediction:

**Ajax 3-0 NEC** — this feels like a mismatch in intensity and quality. Ajax have the guns, NEC have the problems. 💛💙

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