David Flower
Dailysports's expert
Ajax
SC Heerenveen
One of the matches in the first round of the Dutch Eredivisie will be played on Sunday in Amsterdam, where Ajax will host Heerenveen at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Here’s a prediction for this match from the Dailyports expert team.
Ajax
Last season, the "Sons of the Gods" were on the verge of disaster, finding themselves just a few points away from the relegation zone in mid-autumn. Fortunately, the legendary club managed to turn things around, finishing in fifth place and securing a spot in the Europa League.
In preparation for the new season, Ajax played a series of friendly matches, losing only to Zwolle. Afterward, they secured victories in four games against Sint-Truiden, Rangers, Al-Wasl, and Olympiacos.
It's worth noting that Ajax has already begun their European campaign, advancing past Serbian side Vojvodina in the second round of Europa League qualification with a 1-0 home win and a 3-1 away victory. Last week, Ajax also secured a 1-0 win against Greek side Panathinaikos on the road.
Heerenveen
The "Super Frisians" didn't surprise anyone last season, firmly establishing themselves as a mid-table Eredivisie team, finishing in 11th place. Heerenveen ended last season on a poor note with four winless games – three losses and one draw.
As a result, the club made a bold decision by appointing Robin van Persie as their head coach. This will be the legendary forward's first managerial role in his career.
Heerenveen looked impressive during the preseason, securing victories in friendlies against Almere City (1-0), Zwolle (5-2), Dordrecht (4-1), and Rayo Vallecano (5-0). Their only loss came against Middlesbrough (0-1).
Interesting Facts and Head-to-Head History
- Last season, the teams exchanged home victories.
- In the last five meetings between these opponents, the "Total Over 2.5" bet has paid off.
- The "Both Teams to Score" bet has paid off in their last three encounters.
Ajax vs Heerenveen Prediction
Bookmakers are offering odds of 1.48 for an Ajax victory. We believe that Heerenveen will put up a fight but won't be able to withstand Ajax in Amsterdam. The "Sons of the Gods" have already gained momentum from their European matches. Our bet is "Ajax to Win with a -1.0 Handicap" at odds of 1.72.
