ERIK SAYS :

Ajax Amsterdam v Sparta Rotterdam,
Football: Netherlands, Eredivisie 2009/2010
Sunday, 23rd August 2009 - Kickoff 14:30 CET

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Ajax Amsterdam (6th - Record : 2-0-1 9:5)

Ajax suffered their first defeat of the season despite scoring three goals on the road to PSV last Sunday.

The visitors opened the score very early in the first half with Suarez (att) picking up the ball from Isaksson (gk) to put it behind the blundering PSV goalkeeper. Five minutes later Ajax could have taken a 0-2 lead but Suarez (att) chipped the ball just inches wide of the goal.

Eight minutes from halftime PSV leveled the score from a free kick, but two minutes later Suarez (att) fired Ajax back into the lead.

Two quick goals in the second half from the hosts put Ajax on the wrong side of the score but Emanuelson (mid) fired the visitors back into the game. Fifteen minutes from time the visitors had to capitulate with PSV scoring the 4-3, a goal that maybe should have been disallowed after a foul on Wielaert (def).

Sparta Rotterdam (14th - Record : 1-0-2 2:5)

Sparta Rotterdam grabbed their first win of the season last Saturday booking a 2-1 win over Willem II after being one goal down at halftime.

In the second half goals from Strootman (mid) and Poepon (att) allowed the hosts to keep the three points in Rotterdam with Poepon (att) scoring his first competition goal since February 2009.

Sparta will travel to Ajax on Sunday and the team will most likely still miss Knol (def), Slot (mid) and Goddee (att) while Touzani (mid) also is not expected to be fit in time.

Sparta holds a poor record on the road to Ajax losing their last four meetings in Amsterdam conceding 22 goals.

THe Betting Verdict

After their defeat against PSV, Ajax will want to get back on track and secure three points against Sparta on Sunday.

Looking at the current form, Suarez (att) scoring for fun, the return of Sulejmani (att) in the starting eleven and the poor record of Sparta in Amsterdam, there seems no other outcome than a clear home win.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Ajax to win on AH -1.75 (Stake 7/10)