Dutch EreDivision
2008-01-13 - Ajax Amsterdam vs AZ Alkmaar
A Sports Betting Pick by Erik
Ajax Amseterdam
Ajax are currently on the third place in the ranking and the team has known a tough series of games with Ajax winning only once in their final five games before the winter break. In their last game the team drew 2-2 on the road to VVV Venlo and despite grabbing the lead twice in the game, Ajax did not manage to defend their lead with VVV Venlo leveling the score three minutes from time.
Ajax has played an international tournament in Dubai over the winter break where the team drew 2-2 against Internazionale and after being eliminated during a penalty shoot-out, Ajax lost their second game 1-0 against Vfb Stuttgart with Maduro (mid) picking up a red card after six minutes in the first half.
Ajax will host AZ on Sunday and the team has been strenghtened with the return of Davids (mid) on the midfield. The midfielder missed the biggest part of the season after breaking his leg in a friendly game at the start of the season and the experienced Davids (mid) will be a huge inforcement of the midfield.
With also Perez (att) being signed Ajax once again has the disposal of a creative midfielder with the team clearly missing creative impulses after the departure of Sneijder over the summer. With Huntelaar (att) and Suarez (att) up front Ajax is expected to bounce back in the second part of the season in their race to the title with both players netting 25 goals together so far this season.
For the game against AZ Ogararu (def) will be suspended after picking up a red card against VVV Venlo while Manucharyan (att), Delorge (sp) (att) and Anita (def) are expected to remain sidelined. Van der Wiel (def) and Leonardo (att) will be doubtful for Sunday with the latter making his re-appearance on the field after a nine-month injury period in the games against Internazionale and Vfb Stuttgart.
AZ ALKMAAR
AZ has known by far the poorest start of the season of the top four with the team currently occupying the ninth place in the ranking. After an excellent last season the team seemed unable to cope with the departure of Koevermans and Arveladze and with both Ari (att) and Pelle (att) having a tough start of the season, the firepower of AZ has certainly decreased over the last six months.
The strength of the team has always been the collective with all players being able to score, but the morale in the team has been far from high this season with AZ being eliminated in the first round of the Dutch Cup and not qualifying for the knock-out phase of the UEFA Cup.
In their final game before the winter break AZ managed to beat Heracles Almelo 1-0 at home thanks to a goal from Steinsson (def) twenty minutes from time and once again the team showed to have a lot of trouble in finding the net although creating a dozen of chances.
For the game against Ajax Luirink (def), Schaars (mid) and Martens (att) will remain sidelined with longterm injuries while Pocognoli (def) and Didulica (gk) will be doubtful. With Jaliens (def) picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Heracles Almelo the defender will be suspended for the game on Sunday. Jenner (att) will also miss the clash due to a suspension after collecting a red card in the second half against Heracles Almelo.
Verdict
The game between Ajax and AZ has become something special over the last few years with both clubs being separated only 20 miles from each other. AZ team manager Van Gaal has an extensive Ajax history winning the Champions League in 1996 and Van Gaal is always looking for a good result against his former employer. However, in the last ten meetings in Amsterdam between Ajax and AZ the visitors did not manage to win once with Ajax winning nine times.
With both teams struggling before the winter break, both Ajax and AZ will be looking for a good result to start the second part of the season in a positive way. During the winter break AZ signed two new players with Moreno (def) and Poulsen(mid) being added to the selection but it will be uncertain whether they will be able to play against Ajax.
The hosts have signed a very important player with Perez (att) and with also Davids (mid) returning on the field, I have to give Ajax the advantage based on the game against Internazionale where Ajax showed an excellent performance. Together with the home advantage and their excellent record against AZ the home win seems the most likely outcome here.
Odds for the home win can be found around evens and I think this is a good bet to start the second part of the Dutch Eredivisie with.
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Ajax to win at around $2.006/10 units staked on this one
