Waalwijik vs Ajax

In an effort to build on their fairly low-tempo beginning to their Eredevise season, Ajax head to the Mandemakers Stadium to face RKC Waalwijk on Sunday.

The visitors are currently only 9th in the Eredivisie table, having only played four games so far, and the hosts, Winom, are 18th in the division, having lost their first six league matches.

On Sunday RKC Waalwijk are back in business hoping to call an end to their disastrous start of yet another sixth consecutive year in Eredivisie after staying up by the skin of their teeth last season.

However, Henk Fraser’s men are still last, and have not registered a single point in their current campaign after their first six contests this time around, though they were fortunate to avoid the relegation playoff place last year by a goal’s difference.

In those games, RKC has conceded as many as 17 goals while 17th placed Almere City has scored lesser than their three goals. Two of their goal came in 5-1 and 2-1 losses against PSV Eindhoven and Groningen in their first and second matches respectively.

A goalless run then followed as Fraser’s men were beaten by Go Ahead Eagles 3-0, AZ Alkmaar 3-0 and most recently by Willem II on the road before they played host to spirited Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday and once more failed to score as Richonell Margaret’s effort in the 60th minute only served as consolation after Mohamed Nassoh and Camiel Neghli had already registered for the home

This comes as pressure and concern rises round the club and RKC Waalwijk will be eager to open their account in this campaign sensing a chance for a big upset in the match slated for Sunday.

Meanwhile, their visitors arrive on Sunday in hope of maintaining good start in their season, but, as yet, not very convincing in their title hunt in the Eredivisie.

Ajax has had a hectic start to the season, playing in 11 competitive games thus far. They have won eight of those games and only lost two, securing their spot in the Europa League league phase.

The team led by Francesco Farioli suffered a disappointing loss to NAC Breda in August and was frustrated in a draw with Go Ahead Eagles last time out. Prior to that, the team thrashed Fortuna Sittard 5-0 thanks to goals from Kenneth Taylor, Bertrand Traore, Youri Baas, Devyne Rensch, and Chuba Akpom. However, only four of those games have taken place in the Dutch top flight.

Following their 1-1 draw the previous weekend, in which Davy Klaassen gave them a point 20 minutes from time, De Godenzonen returned to continental action on Thursday, opening their Europa League league-phase campaign at home against Besiktas. They won 4-0 thanks to goals from Kian Fitz-Jim, Taylor, and Mika Godts.

Ajax will attempt to get back on track to join the Eredivisie's leaders, beginning with a significant victory on their travels on Sunday. With two more league games remaining before the next international break, Ajax now has seven points from their four league games played.

While defender Youri Baas did return to action last week, Ajax still has a number of injury concerns going into the weekend. Gaston Avila, Steven Berghuis, and Sivert Mannsverk are still limited to the treatment room.

With a fast turnaround from Thursday's continental victory, Francesco Farioli might decide to make a few changes to his starting lineup on Sunday. Mika Godts will undoubtedly maintain his spot on the left wing after scoring twice against Besiktas, while Wout Weghorst and Chuba Akpom both have a claim to return to the attack from the outset.

Sutalo and Baas should once again form the core of a full-strength back four, with Jordan, Kenneth Taylor, and Kian Fitz-Jim forming the same midfield trio as Thursday's convincing victory.