Ajax make the trip to FC Volendam on Sunday afternoon looking for the win that would strengthen their hold of fifth position in the Eredivisie standings.
Meanwhile, the home side are aware that they realistically require all three points to remain in the hunt for 16th position, the relegation playoff spot.
Match preview
With Feyenoord having won the KNVB Beker, Ajax have been provided with somewhat of a lifeline with regards to European qualification, fifth place now being good enough for a spot in the Europa League second qualifying round.
However, the fact that Ajax are reliant on such a scenario highlights their abysmal campaign, not helped by the 2-2 draw against Excelsior last time out.
In Ajax's defence, they played with 10 men from the 36th-minute onwards, but a share of the spoils left them nine points adrift of fourth-placed AZ Alkmaar with just three games remaining.
Furthermore, just three points separate Ajax to seventh position - which would involve a Europa Conference League playoff - and it leaves Ajax under pressure to deliver versus Sunday's opponents, Almere City and Vitesse.
Despite the favourable run-in, John van't Schip's side head into this contest having prevailed in just three of their last 12 matches in the Eredivisie.
As for Volendam, though, just one victory has been recorded in all of their top-flight games during 2024 - a 3-2 success over RKC Waalwijk.
At the time, that extended an unbeaten run to three games, keeping Palingboeren very much in contention to avoid being relegated to the second tier.
Since then, however, defeats have been posted against Excelsior and Sparta Rotterdam respectively without getting on the scoresheet.
Regillio Simons's team now require at least seven points - courtesy of their inferior goal difference - from the final three fixtures to stand any chance of remaining in the Eredivisie.
Team News
Ajax will be forced into at least three alterations with Benjamin Tahirovic and Steven Bergwijn sidelined through suspension and Brian Brobbey on the injury list.
Chuba Akpom should get the nod down the middle of the attack, although Julian Rijkhoff is also an option with Akpom in a deeper role.
Branco van den Boomen could be restored in the engine room, but the likes of Jordan Henderson and Kristian Hlynsson may not return from injury.
Simons must decide whether to hand a first start of the season to Quincy Hoeve down the centre of the attack, replacing fellow 19-year-old Vivaldo Semedo.
Deron Payne is also an option at right-back ahead of Oskar Buur, but Simons will not want to overly tinker with his Volendam side for this contest.
FC Volendam possible starting lineup:
Backhaus; Payne, Mirani, Flint, Cox; Twigt; Booth, Roux, Driel, Johnson; Hoeve
Ajax possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Rensch, Sutalo, Kaplan, Hato; Van den Boomen, Mannsverk, Taylor; Godts, Akpom; Rijkhoff
We say: FC Volendam 1-3 Ajax
With Ajax continuing to falter, Volendam will be optimistic that they can earn a result against the Dutch giants. However, given that fifth spot will now lead to a guaranteed European spot, expect a more focused performance from the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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