One of European football's biggest underperformers, Ajax, welcome Vitesse to the Dutch capital for an Eredivisie clash on Saturday.

The visitors come into the weekend bottom of the table but may still fancy their chances against a fragile Ajax side who suffered two poor results before the international break.

Match preview

Just as it seemed that Ajax were heading back in the right direction, another disappointing couple of results have brought them crashing back to earth.

John van 't Schip's first two games in charge brought routine home wins over Volendam and Heerenveen to move them off the bottom and into mid-table.

However, a damaging defeat in Europe at home to Brighton & Hove Albion followed, meaning they could be eliminated from continental football entirely this midweek if they lose in Marseille.

Ajax's last league game before the break saw them draw 2-2 with Eredivisie debutants Almere City in a topsy-turvy game that left them reeling in the aftermath.

After fighting back from a goal down in the latter stages to lead 2-1, an injury-time penalty from Thomas Robinet saw Ajax drop two points at the death.

While one defeat in four is nowhere near as bad as the 10-game winless run which they suffered prior, any battle for the Champions League places looks improbable, even at this early stage.

A remarkable stat is that even if Ajax won all remaining 23 games this season, they would still finish on fewer points than what Feyenoord won the title with last season.

PSV Eindhoven's extraordinary start means they are already a staggering 24 points ahead of their usual title rivals heading into matchday 13.

Vitesse have made a dreadful start, so much so that manager Phillip Cocu resigned shortly before the international break after losing 3-1 at home to Heerenveen, with Edward Sturing to take charge as caretaker for the time being.

An embarrassing 5-1 defeat at Go Ahead Eagles saw them slip to the bottom of the table, and they were unable to climb off it heading into the break against Heerenveen.

While their last two away games have seen Vitesse concede nine goals, their only two victories this season have come on the road - against Volendam and NEC Nijmegen.

Eight defeats from 12 league games so far represents a pitiful start, but with many sides struggling near the bottom, the Arnhem club remain just one point from safety.

Team News

Steven Bergwijn pulled out of the Netherlands squad last week with injury, so it is unclear whether the Ajax winger will be available here.

Striker Brian Brobbey is also a doubt due to illness, so Chuba Akpom and Benjamin Tahirovic could come in, especially after the duo both scored off the bench against Almere.

Akpom has scored four goals in his last three domestic appearances, all of which came as a substitute, in a total of just 54 minutes on the pitch.

Branco van den Boomen is a confirmed absentee, while the hosts are set to be without their two main goalkeepers, Geronimo Rulli and Jay Gorter.

That means third-choice Diant Ramaj is set to start between the sticks again, as he has done for the last six games.

Marco van Ginkel's straight red card against Heerenveen means the midfielder will be suspended for this trip.

That could open the door for fellow former Premier League midfielder Davy Propper to return, as he was an unused sub in that same game following a lengthy injury layoff.

Knee issues are rife among the Vitesse squad, with Thomas Buitink, Fode Fofana, Mica Pinto and Miliano Jonathans all absent with respective problems at present.

Ajax possible starting lineup:
Ramaj; Rensch, Sutalo, Hato, Sosa; Hlynsson, Taylor; Berghuis, Mikautadze, Tahirovic; Akpom

Vitesse possible starting lineup:
Room; Arcus, Oroz, Isimat-Mirin, Hendriks, Cornelisse; Tielemans, Meulensteen, Propper, Kozlowski; Manhoef

We say: Ajax 3-2 Vitesse

Vitesse have won four times here in the last 11 years and got a 2-2 draw last season in this fixture, so despite their early woes, they will feel it is a great opportunity to claim another big scalp.

However, Ajax's two home league wins under Van 't Schip means it is likely they will be able to come through this fixture with a win, even if it is likely to be closer than they would hope.


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