Ajax Amsterdam v SC Heerenveen
Football : Netherlands : Eredivisie
Sunday, 14th August 2011 - Kickoff 14:30

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Ajax Amsterdam

First home match of the season for Ajax, who are topping the table after a 4-1 win at de Graafschap.

De Graafschap started all out, which led to a surprising opening goal after 15 minutes. Ajax equalised 5 minutes later and de Graafschap started so full of energy they couldn’t manage to hold that level longer than 30 minutes. New signings Boerrigter and Theo Janssen both scored, and Miralem Sulejmani scored the other two goals.

Ajax lost the Super Cup match against FC Twente, but were dominating the whole 90 minutes and Twente winning 2-1 (with 10 men) was a bit undeserved. However this prize was not a main objective as Ajax has set eyes on another title and surviving in Europe, hopefully a second round of the Champions League.

The search for a new goalkeeper is on, Stekelenburg left to AS Roma and it’s whispered manager de Boer has no full confidence in new first goalie Vermeer, who has been waiting for his chance under the bar for several years. But the signing of a new goalie will take some time, and Vermeer is certain to start sunday.

Captain Vertonghen who missed out the first match due to injury could feature this match.

SC Heerenveen

Heerenveen dramatically wasted a 2-0 lead in the last 10 minutes of the match against (toothless) NEC. Yet again it showed it’s all about the creative wingers and the rest of the team is mediocre at the moment. Left winger Assaidi played a superior match again, and was important with a goal and assist.

Right winger Narsingh who also played a fine match scored the second goal and the match was close to played with 20 minutes left. But Heerenveen fell back and forgot to press through, and NEC who created a minimum of chances were helped by Heerenveen scoring two easy goals and almost won it with a third.

Heerenveen’s midfield is lacking defensive qualities, and none of the three midfielders has the ability to switch over if they lose possession. Midfielders Djuricic and Kums focus on their offensive duties, and midfielder Elm is not capable to fullfill the defensive duties by himself.

The departure of the midfielders Väyrynen and Grindheim and the injury of midfielder Roorda have made them weaker in my opinion. Furthermore striker Dost started with a poor performance again, and doubts about his capabilities are rising match after match. After a single match dissapointment has struck again.

The Betting Verdict

Ajax will continue with their process of playing dominating football, with position play and starting at the back end. The return of Vertonghen could boost Ajax, as he is just way better than Daley Blind who has replaced him on the center position.

The backs Boilesen and van der Wiel will have to neutralise the Heerenveen wingers, and if they manage to do so Heerenveen has no other weapons to hurt Ajax.

Ajax qualities on midfield are just extremely well compared to Heerenveen. Offensive midfielder Eriksen just scored a goal in the international friendly with Denmark, and Janssen was ignored by van Marwijk for the Dutch friendly, that was postponed. He got his resting days and will be eager to prove himself.

In all parts of the game Ajax has the advantage in my eyes, and I’ll back them on the AH.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Main Bet :
Take Ajax -1.75 AH to win @ 1.85 Pinnacle