Sparta Rotterdam vs Ajax Amsterdam Prediction: The Amsterdammers Seeking To End The Year With An X-traordinary Win

Sparta Rotterdam will welcome Ajax Amsterdam to the Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel in the 17th round of the Eredivisie. 

Let's have a look at the latest Netherlands Eredivisie predictions between Sparta Rotterdam vs. Ajax Amsterdam, probable lineups, match facts, and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Sparta Rotterdam

Form: DLLLL

Sparta Rotterdam has been out of sorts this season as they find themselves located in the bottom three in the league standings after 16 games played. They have recorded two wins, six draws, and eight losses to accumulate 12 points.

Sparta Rotterdam saw their journey in the KNVB Beker come to an end on Wednesday after losing 5-4 on penalties against the Go Ahead Eagles in the second round. Before that, they shared the spoils in a 1-1 league draw against NEC Nijmegen away from home. This result added salt to injury, stretching their winless run in the league to ten games (D3, L7).

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Olij; Bakari, Young, Reith, Van Aanholt; Baas, Kitolano; Clement, Verschueren, Mito; Lauritsen

Ajax Amsterdam

Form: WLDWW

Ajax Amsterdam, on the other hand, has been performing exceptionally, but a recent dip in form has them drifting away from the top spot as they find themselves six points adrift. However, they come into this clash sitting in second place, level on points with surprise package FC Utrecht in third place. 

Unlike their opponents in this impending encounter, the Amsterdammers were successful in the KNVB Beker, securing a comfortable 2-0 home victory over second-tier Telstar. Before that, they made light work of Almere City in the league, cruising to a resounding 3-0 home victory, making it ten wins from the last 14 matches (D3, L1).

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-3

Pasveer; Rensch, Rugani, Baas, Wijndal; Fitz-Jim, Henderson, Klaassen; Akpom, Weghorst, Taylor

Match Facts

• Sparta Rotterdam's last home win against Ajax Amsterdam was in 2009.
• Ajax Amsterdam has won 14 of their last 15 fixtures against Sparta Rotterdam.
• Sparta Rotterdam is currently on a three match losing streak at home in the Eredivisie.
• Ajax Amsterdam has won four of their last six away matches in the Eredivisie.

Head-To-Head

In the last 42 meetings, Sparta Rotterdam has won 5 times, Ajax Amsterdam has won 33 times, and there have been 4 draws with the goal difference being 125-41 in favor of Ajax Amsterdam.

Expert Betting Tips

Let's be honest! If this matchup had taken place in the previous season, I wouldn't have blinked in Ajax Amsterdam's way considering how poor and disorganized they were. However, with Francesco Farioli at the helm this season, there's no reason for me to be skeptical anymore. Sparta Rotterdam is what I call a risky gamble; it can't be trusted, given their poor form this season. In my view, this is not a case of superiority or inferiority in terms of squad and quality but performance-wise. 

Clearly, it is evident where the three points are going, and that is not up for debate at this point, which is why I fully put my trust in Ajax to win, having notched seven wins from their last eight away matches in this fixture.

• W2 for 1.71
• Goals - Over 2.5 for 1.70
• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.73