Fourth-placed Vitesse will attempt to revive their Champions League bid when they host Eredivisie leaders Ajax having failed to win any of their last three league fixtures. Meanwhile, the Amsterdammers are closing in on another league title and they will fancy their chances of winning in Arnhem.

Tough times for Vitesse

For the second year running Vitesse have managed to mount a serious title bid in Dutch Eredivisie only to ruin everything they’ve worked for with a poor finish of the season. Recent reports have suggested that parent club Chelsea do not want them to play Champions League football, and it remains to be seen if there is any truth in the rumours. The reality is the club from Arnhem have ruined their top 2 bid with a three-match winless run and they now sit four points behind Champions League positions. Vitesse failed to recover from back to back defeats to PSV Eindhoven and Groningen as they could only muster a 2-2 draw with Heerenveen at home, coming from a goal behind to earn one point. Peter Bosz’s charges now face an uphill task against high-flying Ajax, especially considering their home record against the Amsterdammers. While enjoying some success at Amsterdam ArenA, Vitesse have lost four of last five home games against Ajax, conceding no less than 15 goals in the process and given their current run of form, the poor run looks set to continue.

Frank van den Strujik and Marko Meerits (both knee) are definitely out, whereas Lucas Piazon and Mike Havenaar (both ankle) are rated doubtful.

Another strong season finale

Ajax ended a seven-year wait for a league trophy in 2011 and they have been unstoppable ever since, winning two more titles in a row and are now set to make it four on the bounce. The Amsterdammers were not always impressive in the opening exchanges or midway through the season, but some excellent displays in the business end of the season would often prove the difference in the final count. Nothing seems to have changed this term as the 18-match unbeaten run (W14 D4) has seen Ajax return to the top of the standings and open up an eight-point lead with just four games to go. After defeating AZ Alkmar in KNVB Beker, Frank de Boer’s side enjoyed comfortable victories over Twente and RKC Waalwijk, with the boss even resting some of his starters in midweek clash. As a result, Ajax enter the Vitesse game fresh and full of confidence and looking to secure another league trophy as soon as possible. And with the way they have been playing of late, that looks inevitable.

Siem de Jong and Viktor Fischer remain on the sidelines, but captain Niklas Moisander could return from a knee problem.

Verdict

While Vitesse are clearly on the downtrend and dreading the prospect of facing their bogeymen, Ajax appear on top of their game and ready to make the decisive step towards the fourth consecutive league title. Chances are we will see a very open game, but I am definitely backing the Amsterdammers to win.

Top pick: Away win   2.15 (23/20) @ BetVictor

Alternative pick 1: Over 2.5 goals   1.62 (5/8) @ Betfair

Alternative pick 2: Over 3.5 goals   2.45 (29/20) @ Unibet