Dutch EreDivision
2008-08-30 - Willem II Tilburg vs Ajax Amsterdam
A Sports Betting Pick by Hugo
Dutch Eredivisie
Willem II Stadion – Tilburg
Saturday 30th August 2008 – KO 17:45
AJAX
Ajax had a complete clean out this summer. The squad was drastically diminished (many mediocre players have been moved to the B-Squad and are told to look out for other clubs) and all the new signings are more than decent IMO.
The only player they will be missing is Heitinga. Also the whole board was replaced.
So the negative vibe that’s been hanging around the club for far too long has made place for a neutral one with positive expectations and Perez just left the club this week, so all issues are resolved now.
Ajax’ much discussed defence is far from perfect, but I am not so negative about it as I see a line of players that is full of potential: Vertonghen (best Belgian player at Olympics), Vermaelen, Sno and the very youngsters v/d Wiel, Schilder and Anita (defenders), Lindgren and Emanuelson (defensive midfielders).
Oleguer and Silva are a little more experienced and decent defenders. Most of their defensive problems will appear when some of these get injured during the season.
Conclusion: I feel we will see a much improved Ajax this season and expect them to get back on top at the end of this year.
WILLEM II
It sounds a little harsh, but this team has been truly pathetic for the last 3 seasons and there are no signs at all that things will improve this year.
With the worst trainer in the league in charge, just a few decent players like Boutahar, Demouge, Mourad and D. Matthijsen and no impressive signings, they’ll probably survive the relegation zone, but that’s the best they can do this season.
PRE-SEASON
I still have to see the day when players, sure of their place in the squad, are motivated in friendly matches.
Also rotating a lot of players to give them a chance to prove themselves to fill any vacancies doesn’t do a match any good.
But for those who do feel pre-season matches have value this is what happened:
Ajax pre-season - missing many defensive players due to the Olympics - was mediocre, losing to Arsenal, Inter and Murcia but did beat Sunderland.
Ajax scored some promising goals against Arsenal though.
Willem II had it’s ups and downs, beating CSKA Sofia and RC Genk, but losing against Energie Cottbus and FC Eindhoven.
HEAD TO HEAD
In the league Ajax has won each and every match in Tilburg since 1999, the year Willem II ended 2nd behind Feyenoord in the Dutch Eredivisie.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Please note line-ups are based only on my humble opinion, as no real info is available yet; especially Ajax has a few more options in midfield and back.
Stekelenburg
Silva, Oleguer, Vermaelen (v/d Wiel), Vertonghen
Lindgren (Sno)
Gabri, Emanuelson
Suarez, Huntelaar, Sulejmani
WILLEM II
Aerts
Janse, Schenkel, Swinkels, Veloso
Akgün, Matthijsen, Boutahar, Messoudi
Muhamadu(Demouge), Mourad
THE VERDICT
I can’t see past an Ajax victory here. We’ll have to see how their defence copes, but their attacking power is way too strong for the likes of Willem II.
The Pick :
Willem II 1–3 Ajax
