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Sparta Rotterdam logo
Eredivisie | Gameweek 3
Aug 21, 2022 at 1.30pm UK
Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel
Ajax

Sparta
0 - 1
Ajax


de Guzman (14')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Bergwijn (37')
Alvarez (32')

Preview: Sparta Rotterdam vs. Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Eredivisie clash between Sparta Rotterdam and Ajax, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Looking to alter what has been a poor start to the 2022-23 Eredivisie season, Sparta Rotterdam welcome Ajax to the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the defending champions make the journey to Rotterdam this weekend aiming to preserve their unblemished start to the new campaign.


Match preview

Ajax Amsterdam's Dusan Tadic celebrates scoring their first goal with Steven Berghuis on February 23, 2022© Reuters

Ajax put on an attacking masterclass as they emphatically demolished Groningen 6-1 in Sunday's encounter at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam.

Steven Bergwijn led the assault for Alfred Schreuder's men as he grabbed a hat-trick, while Antony, Kenneth Taylor and Steven Berghuis were also on the score sheet.

Consequently, de Godenzonen currently sit joint-top in the Eredivisie table, level with PSV Eindhoven on six points and a +6 goal difference.

Awaiting them next is the threat of an opposing outfit who have suffered defeat in each of the last 11 editions of the fixture dating back to 2010.

Unbeaten in all but one of their league games on the road since the turn of the year, Sunday's visitors set out secure another positive result away from home.

Off the back of a goalless draw on the opening weekend, Sparta Rotterdam fell to a 3-2 loss at the hands of AZ Alkmaar when the teams locked horns on Sunday.

Maurice Steijn's men opened the scoring early on through Vito van Crooy before strikes from Vangelis Pavlidis and Dani De Wit turned the game on its head after which van Crooy grabbed his second goal to level matters once again, only for Milos Kerkez to net a 65th-minute winner.

With one point from a possible six so far, De Kasteelheren are 11th in the standings and will be looking to put together a decent run of results in the coming weeks.

Despite coming away empty-handed from their last outing against more illustrious opponents, Sunday's hosts gave a good account of themselves and should approach this weekend's match with real belief.

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:
  • D
  • L

Sparta Rotterdam form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • L

Ajax Eredivisie form:
  • W
  • W

Ajax form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • W


Team News

Ajax attacker Antony in action in April 2021© Reuters

Twenty-year-old Mohammed Ihattaren remains ruled out of action with a muscle problem as he prepares to sit out a ninth Ajax game on the bounce.

Amid talks of a potential move to Manchester United, Antony was absent from training earlier today and he is not expected to feature here.

Off the back of a sensational three-goal haul last time out, Steven Bergwijn currently leads the scoring charts after the first two rounds of matches.

Sparta Rotterdam's Laurent Jans continues to nurse an ankle problem, making the Luxembourg international a doubt for this weekend's contest.

With four goals in his last three outings for the home side, forward Vito van Crooy will be looking to deliver the goods once again and is definitely one to look out for.

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Abels, Vriends, Auassar, Pinto; De Guzman, Verschueren; Van Crooy, Namli, Eyenga-Lokilo; Lauritsen

Ajax possible starting lineup:
Pasveer; Rensch, Timber, Blind, Wijndal; Tadic, Alvarez, Taylor; Bergwijn, Brobbey, Berghuis


SM words green background

We say: Sparta Rotterdam 0-3 Ajax

Ajax's dominance in this fixture means that it is hard to envisage any other result than a victory for them. We are backing the defending champions to cruise to all three points in what should be a largely one-sided affair.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Sparta vs Ajax

Sparta Rotterdam
8.3%
Draw
5.6%
Ajax
86.1%
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1PSV EindhovenPSV26233081136872
2Feyenoord26195266214562
3FC Twente26165549252453
4AZ AlkmaarAZ26147553233049
5Ajax26118757471041
6NECNijmegen26109750401039
7Go Ahead Eagles2610793835337
8FC UtrechtUtrecht269983133-236
9Fortuna SittardSittard2697103344-1134
10Sparta RotterdamSparta2687113338-531
11Heerenveen2694134249-731
12Almere CityAlmere City2679102643-1730
13PEC Zwolle2677123447-1328
14Heracles2675143358-2526
15SBV ExcelsiorExcelsior26410123957-1822
16RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk2664162443-1922
17Vitesse2645172153-3217
18FC VolendamVolendam2635182667-4114


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