Even when Ajax have been performing well below expectations, there has been a feeling that they may just about scrape fifth spot ahead of a Europa Conference League playoff.
Fourth is also still within the reach, with the gap to a floundering AZ Alkmaar being seven points, but losing 6-0 away at Feyenoord last weekend was Ajax’s lowest point of the season.
Never in their existence had they lost by such a margin to their fierce rivals, while it represented just the fifth time they had lost by that amount of goals in their history.
While Ajax have an extremely favourable closing four games, John van’t Schip and his players could have done without a showdown with a team in the form of Twente.
In their last two fixtures at home, Ajax have either scored late to secure a share of the spoils or conceded a last-gasp goal to drop points, something that will not be lost on their next opponents.
Motivated by their embarrassing defeat to Fenerbahce in the Europa Conference League playoffs, Twente have all but assured a spot in a continental competition next season.
Twente sit eight points ahead of fourth-placed AZ with five games left, with the reward for third being a place in the Champions League third qualifying round.
With Ajax and AZ still on their calendar, Joseph Oosting and his players cannot afford to get ahead of themselves, but they have collected 16 points from their most recent seven league fixtures.
A 2-0 triumph over Fortuna Sittard was recorded last time out, their fourth successive home win, while they also possess the third-best away record in the division, picking up 23 points from 14 games.
Van’t Schip will inevitably make changes to his Ajax starting lineup with Chuba Akpom among those who should return to the side.
The likes of Josip Sutalo and Brian Brobbey remained as unused substitutes for the Feyenoord debacle and could be restored in defence and attack.
Jordan Henderson is pushing for a return from injury, although it is unclear whether he would be passed fit to start after not featuring since before the international break.
Meanwhile, Youri Regeer is in contention to start for Twente at left-back, potentially replacing Gijs Smal after that alteration was made at half time against Fortuna Sittard.
The remainder of the side could plausibly stay the same, with Ricky van Wolfswinkel again leading the line after netting his 13th goal of the season last weekend.
Leave a Reply