Ajax Vs. Heerenveen: Opening The 2024/2025 Dutch League Premiership Match

Jordan Henderson will strengthen Ajax muism 2024/2025 (photo: x @AFCAjax)

JAKARTA - Ajax, the Dutch football giant, will start their Eredivisie campaign against Heerenveen at the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday, August 11. After the disappointing 2023-24 season, Ajax hopes to bounce back, while the visitors are trying to improve their 11th finish position last season.

Ajax are entering a new season with the determination to improve their poor start from last season, where they have won only one of the first eight league games (D2, L5). Despite successfully finishing in fifth place and securing tickets to the Europa League, this achievement is well below Ajax's high standards.

Francesco Farioli, Ajax's new head coach, was tasked with leading the rebuilding at the Amsterdam Arena. The former Nice coach made a promising start by bringing his team to a 4-1 aggregate win over Vojvodina in the second round of Europa League qualifiers, followed by a narrow 1-0 win over Panathinaikos in the first leg of the third half of the qualifiers.

Now, Ajax will shift their focus to Sunday's game against Heerenveen, where they are optimistic about getting the full three points after winning 13 of the last 15 home league games against the visitors.

On the other hand, Heerenveen is entering a new season in the hope of improving their finishing position in 11th place last season. Robin van Persie, former Arsenal striker and Manchester United, will make his debut as head coach of Heerenveen, having previously spent time as manager of the Feyenoord U-18 team and working with the first team under Arne Slot.

Although Van Persie faced a tough test in his first competitive game as a coach, the visitors were able to take the confidence of their last meeting with Ajax in February, where they won a surprise 3-2 win at home.

Ajax is likely to appear without Christian Rasmussen and Owen Wijndal, while Gaston Avila and Amourricho van Axel Dongen are doubtful of appearing in the league opener. Steven Bergwijn missed the first leg against Panathinaikos and will miss Sunday's game due to suspension.

When eyes are on European matches next Thursday, Farioli will probably rotate his squad, with Branco van den Boomen, Mika Godts, Bertrand Traore, and Brian Brobbey who may be given the opportunity to start the game this weekend.

Meanwhile, Heerenveen is expected to field Andries Noppert as goalkeeper, with Sam Kersten and Pawel Bochniewicz as two centre-backs. Luuk Brouwers, who made his contract permanent after the loan period, is likely to start in midfield with Simon Olsson and Amara Conde. Ion Nicolaescu, who scored five goals in 19 league appearances last season, is predicted to lead the front line against Ajax.

Estimated Lineup Of Players

Ajax:Pasveer; Rensch, Sutalo, Baas, Hato; Taylor, Henderson, Van den Boomen; Traore, Godts, Brobbey.

Heerenveen:Noppert; Hall, Kersten, Bochniewicz, Kohlert; Conde, Olsson, Brouwers; Sebaoui, Al-Saed, Nicolaescu