Viewed throughout history, Ajax is lord and master. With 93 victories compared to Feyenoord’s 63. This season everything is different. It could be the first time since the 2005/2006 season that the Rotterdam team has managed to beat their arch rival twice in one Eredivisie season.
When Feyenoord came to Amsterdam for the first meeting this season, Arne Slot’s team steamrolled Ajax. After a 0-3 score, the match was stopped. In the remainder, Feyenoord made it 0-4.
Chuba Akpom, Brian Brobbey and Steven Berghuis were not in the selection against Go Ahead Eagles. It can be said that the latter will have to let this Classic pass him by. The Ajax player has been struggling with a lingering back injury for some time. There are still question marks for the two strikers for the match in Rotterdam. Brobbey has resumed group training, so could possibly make minutes. Jordan Henderson had a setback in his rehabilitation, which means he will not be available this Sunday.
At the current number two in the Eredivisie, almost everyone from the base is fit. There are concerns surrounding Bart Nieuwkoop, who left the field injured in the match against FC Volendam. As is known, Quilindschy Hartman will also have to watch from the stands due to a serious knee injury that will keep him sidelined for the rest of the calendar year.
In the run-up to De Klassieker, both Feyenoord and Ajax suffered expensive loss of points. If Feyenoord still had any aspirations for the title, it now seems to have disappeared. Ajax could have outpaced direct competitors for fifth place. NEC did not win against Fortuna Sittard (1-1) and Go Ahead Eagles was the opponent on Thursday evening. For a long time, Ajax seemed to have taken three points thanks to a world-class goal by Anton Gaaei, but captain of the Eagles Bas Kuipers threw a spanner in the works after a mistake by Diant Ramaj.
So not the best preparation for either team. Yet Feyenoord will go into the match with confidence, knowing that Ajax is in the corner where the blows will fall. There are not often opportunities to beat Ajax twice in one season.
The kick-off of the biggest match in Dutch football is at 2.30 pm and will be led by referee Danny Makkelie.
