Sparta Rotterdam stubborn opponents but Ajax expect victory

Sparta Rotterdam play their home games on artifical turf, while this fixture will take part on grass. The latest statistics for Sparta Rotterdam when playing on grass are 6 wins, 5 draws and 21 defeats from 32 matches. They have created 24 goals and conceded 61 times in these fixtures.

Both teams should be fairly well rested for this game, as they have had some quiet days to prepare. Hopefully this will translate into lots of action on the pitch.

Ajax form and stats

Ajax have performed here at Johan Cruijff Arena this season with 11 wins from 14 Eredivisie matches. Some points have been lost, as they have drawn 1 game and lost 2. Ajax has won so many consecutive home games (five in a row) that they struggle to remember the last time points were lost here at Johan Cruijff Arena. We remember; it was AZ.

Happy days for Ajax in their previous game, a fixture away at FC Groningen (placed 8th) that ended with a 3-1 victory. Midfield player Tadić got a match rating of 8.62 in that game, the max score being 10. Tadić scored one goal, served one assist, hit three key passes and dribled past the opponent 1 of 2 times.

Before that game, the 3-2 home victory against Feyenoord.

Everyone expects Ajax to win this match. We have checked our database for matches where they have been as big a favourite and found 19 games: 18 home wins, one draw and zero defeats. Ajax have won with at least two goals margin 17 times in similar situations.

It's goals goals goals for Ajax who have scored 52 goals from 14 league home games. Ajax have only conceded 7 from their league home games. For more goal stats, check the Statistics tab above. It's worth mentioning that 4 of these goals has been conceded in their last three home matches.

Sparta Rotterdam form and stats

There's been little loot from Sparta Rotterdam's travels as they have only collected 7 points from 11 away games in the Eredivisie. Sparta Rotterdam only have 1 win to counter their 6 defeats and 4 draws.

There were no winners in Sparta Rotterdam's previous match, the home game that ended 1-1 vs SC Heerenveen (placed 12th). Midfield player Namli was the top player of the team with a match rating of 7.63/10. Namli hit one key pass and had 39 successful passes (of 43 total).

Before that, Rotterdam travelled to NEC and returned home with a draw after the game finished 0-0.

Many goals are not expected from the visiting Sparta Rotterdam as they have only managed to score 7 times from 11 away games in the league. Sparta Rotterdam's defence is not exactly unbeatable as they have conceded 18 goals from these trips. Sparta Rotterdam has visited these top teams four times, and 4 of 4 has ended with 2 goals or more!

Head 2 Head

Here's what happened when the contenders faced each other previously this campaign; Sparta Rotterdam - Ajax 0-1. H2H stats regardless of arena (last ten matches): Ajax ten wins, zero draws and Sparta Rotterdam zero victories. As for goals, seven matches ended with three or more goals (over 2,5), three games had two or less.

Top Goalscorers

S. Haller 20 goals

D. Tadić 11 goals

A. dos Santos 8 goals

Ajax missing players

Sparta Rotterdam missing players