Ajax vs FC Twente Preview

The Eredivisie title is set to be decided on Sunday, and the race is poised to be one of the most dramatic in recent memory. One of the protagonists, Ajax, know that they must beat Twente in order to heap the pressure onto PSV Eindhoven, and to prevent one of the most high-profile bottlejobs in recent European memory.

Three weeks ago, Ajax needed just six points from their remaining five games in order to clinch the title, a deal that the Dutch giants had been able to close out so many times before. However, a severe drop in form has seen them pick up just two points in the last four, while Eindhoven have won six on the bounce.

Twente have secured a Conference League play-off spot, and cannot place any higher than fifth, so their season is effectively already over. Their one responsibility now is to play a big part in the story of where the league title ends up. Win, and Eindhoven are champions, lose or draw, and everyone inside the Johan-Cruyff arena will turn to the Eindhoven score.

As a critical game on the final day of the season approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Where to Watch

This game will be broadcasted on Thriller TV+, with kick-off scheduled for 13:30 GMT on Sunday.

Key Statistics

• Ajax have conceded 10 goals in their last four matches, the same number they had allowed in their previous 16 fixtures.
• Should they beat Twente, they will also have to rely on Eindhoven losing or drawing at Sparta Rotterdam, a game which will be going on at the same time.
• Twente have won two of their last three games, keeping two clean sheets in the process.
• Outside of the top three of Feyenoord, Ajax and Eindhoven, Twente are the top scorers in the league, netting 62 times this season.

Ajax Preview

Ajax Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Remko Pasveer (GK); Owen Wijndal, Jorrel Hato, Josip Sutalo, Anton Gaaei; Kenneth Taylor, Jordan Henderson, Kian Fitz-Jim; Mika Godts, Brian Brobbey, Bertrand Traore.

How Ajax find their title fate out of their hands may never be understood. Less than a month ago, der Godenzonen were in a commanding position, and held all the cards as they entered the “run-in period” as the only real contenders for the Eredivisie plate.

Their fixtures looked friendly, and many people had written off that PSV Eindhoven could even get close, let alone enter the final day as favourites. But defeat to their title rivals kick-started a rotten run of form which has seen Ajax concede 10 goals while scoring just three in return.

Should they fail to win the Eredivisie title this season, their trophy drought will extend to three years, their longest run since 2018. Their squad, arguably the most talented in the league, collapsed under pressure, and now, coach Francesco Farioli finds himself in charge of a rescue operation rather than a title parade.

FC Twente Preview

FC Twente Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Lars Unnerstall (GK); Bas Kuipers, Alec van Hoorenbeeck, Mees Hilgers, Bart van Rooij; Michal Sadilek, Mathias Kjolo; Michel Vlap, Sem Steijn, Daan Rots; Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

Though Twente’s season is over with nothing left to play for, they still have a huge part to play in the story of the league trophy, and have the opportunity to become the ultimate party-poopers on Sunday. If they win, they bury Ajax’s Eredivisie aspirations, and seal one of the biggest title race slip ups in recent history.

Worryingly for Ajax, Twente go into their clash in decent form, having sealed 2-0 victories over both Utrecht and Sparta Rotterdam, before suffering a narrow defeat to AZ Alkmaar last time out. Prior to those games, they also aided Eindhoven’s surprise title charge, losing 3-1 as they started to wind Ajax back in.

While they may have already held up their end of the bargain in qualifying for Europe, Twente still have a crucial role to play as we approach a dramatic final day, and their form will be enough to cause Ajax more than a couple of sleepless nights in the build up to the game.

Ajax vs FC Twente Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 10/11/2024: Twente 2-2 Ajax.
• 14/04/2024: Ajax 2-1 Twente.
• 17/09/2023: Twente 3-1 Ajax.
• 28/05/2023: Twente 3-1 Ajax.
• 09/02/2023: Twente 0-1 Ajax.

Ajax vs FC Twente Betting Tip

With a defeat or draw guaranteed to hand Eindhoven the title, Ajax know that a win is vital here if they are to still have a chance of lifting the trophy come full time. Twente are a good side, and have caused problems for big teams throughout the season, but a win is absolutely imperative for Ajax, and we think they’ll take the title drama down to the wire.

Ajax vs FC Twente Prediction

Ajax 2-0 FC Twente

With a far inferior goal difference to Eindhoven, a draw wouldn’t make any difference for Ajax. The rules are simple - win the game, and hope Eindhoven lose, in hopes of avoiding the biggest title race slip up anywhere in the world this year.