**Ajax roll up to the Johan Cruijff Arena on a tear, and AZ are coming off a loss that stings.** This is the classic David-vs-Goliath vibe of the Eredivisie, except Ajax have been playing like absolute world-beaters lately. 🔥

Ajax sit on three wins in their last five with a **5-2 demolition of Groningen** standing out. AZ, meanwhile, are wobbling — just one win in their last five and fresh off a **0-2 home defeat to FC Twente**. The head-to-head? Brutal for AZ: Ajax have 27 wins to their 15 across the last 58 meetings.

Key storylines:

- **S. Berghuis and J. Brandt** will be tasked with terrorizing AZ's flanks; the visitors are thin on defensive depth with suspensions and injuries piling up
- **P. Koopmeiners** carries AZ's creative load in midfield, but faces a midfield press from **S. Amrabat and J. Mokio** that rarely lets anyone breathe
- Ajax missing **K. Dolberg** (knee) but their attacking depth means it barely registers

Expected lineups:

- **AFC Ajax**: ter Stegen, Henrique, Baas, Bouwman, Kehrer, Gloukh, Mokio, Amrabat, Brandt, Arokodare, Berghuis
- **AZ Alkmaar**: De Busser, Chávez, Goes, Dijkstra, Schouten, Koopmeiners, Daal, Patati, Kwakman, Kovács, Meerdink

Prediction:

**Ajax 3-1 AZ** — Ajax's form is too sharp, and AZ's defensive holes are too exposed. Easy lean on the home side. ⚪🔴