Ajax seeking big result against Roda JC
Not too long ago Ajax appeared to be unbeatable in the Eredivisie, as they clinched the title in four consecutive seasons between 2010 and 2014. However, their control was soon wrestled away by PSV Eindhoven.
Last season appeared to be Ajax’s year once again, as they led the league right up until the final game, in which a dull 1-1 draw against De Graafschap Doetinchem, who eventually suffered relegation, saw PSV leapfrog them into first place.
While they have managed to keep PSV at arm’s length this term, Peter Bosz’s side have had a new foe to fight. PSV have taken a step back, but Feyenoord have stepped up in their absence and have led the table since the first week.
Ajax currently sit in second place, just six points behind Feyenoord. However, they have plenty of time to make those points up. Ajax do face an easier run in, with three of their four big games coming at home.
Although, given last season's mishap, Ajax will know all too well that the difference between everything and nothing can be minor. In that regard, goal difference will be a real worry for Bosz.
Ajax have done well this season, notching up 42 goals and conceding just 14 to give them a positive goal difference of 28. That places them higher than any of the 16 teams below them. However, leaders Feyenoord have trumped their rivals by a mile, scoring more and conceding less than any other side in the Eredivisie, handing them a goal difference of +42.
Should the title race depend on the smallest of margins, as it has done in the past, Ajax would need to make up 14 goals between now and May to be in with a shot. They can begin to do just that this Sunday when they come up against relegation candidates Roda JC.
The struggling side picked up only their second win of the season - a 4-0 victory over SBV Excelsior - and the big result could persuade them to take a risk against Ajax, in a game that they are underwhelming favourites to win.
Ajax have scored three or more goals in just seven of their 20 matches so far this season and will need to step up their game in the coming weeks. However, they will be buoyed by recent results, having scored seven times in their last three games. Six of those goals came against PEC Zwolle and ADO Den Haag, two teams that find themselves in a similar position to Roda, and Bosz will be confident that his side can deliver another great result.
Feyenoord, on the other hand, travel to eighth placed FC Twente, which will be a significantly harder game. Twente have lost just two of their ten home games this term and will undoubtedly put up a good fight. Feyenoord will likely come away with three points, but Ajax will be happy enough to keep the up their pressure and take a step closer to matching Feyenoord’s superior goal difference.
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