**Sparta rolls into Rotterdam looking to upset a wounded Ajax side** — the visitors have lost key defenders and that could spell chaos at Het Kasteel. 🔥

Sparta's riding decent form (1W, 2D in last 5) with some wild scorelines, while Ajax are sharp in attack but missing bodies at the back. The H2H is brutal for Sparta — just 7 wins in 56 meetings — but this is their moment.

Key storylines:

- **Ajax's defensive injuries** (Gaaei and Dolberg out) give Sparta room to press and create chances on the wing
- **M. Zonneveld and C. Terho** need to stay alive up front; Sparta thrive when they're direct and chaotic
- **D. Klaassen** anchoring Ajax's midfield becomes even more critical without defensive cover — if Sparta can disrupt him, it's a game

Expected lineups:

- **Sparta Rotterdam**: M. Brouwer, B. Kuipers, M. Young, B. Martins Indi, L. E. Martes, J. Baas, C. Hatenboer, S. Mito, R. van Cruijsen, C. Terho, M. Zonneveld
- **AFC Ajax**: M. ter Stegen, C. Henrique, Y. Baas, A. Bouwman, L. Rosa, J. Mokio, O. Gloukh, D. Klaassen, O. Edvardsen, J. Brandt, S. Berghuis

Prediction:

**1-2 Ajax**, but Sparta's got a real edge here — lean towards the visitors grinding it out despite injuries.

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