Now that the international break is out of the way, it’s time to focus on things that really matter again. Ajax host PEC Zwolle in the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Saturday, and a win is an absolute must to keep up with undefeated rivals Feyenoord and PSV in the Eredivisie. Will the Amsterdammers follow-up on the win over VVV Venlo and continue their pursuit? Here are the predictions for #ajapec.
Arco Gnocchi [@arcinho] – Ajax follower
Time heals a lot of wounds I guess, or at least makes it easier to forget (ignore) the awful, awful experience that was the hellish Summer of Ajax.
I don’t know why I suddenly start being optimistic about our chances to reboot our ‘road to the title’, but after enjoying Jong Ajax last week I’m somehow looking forward to seeing our first team play again! Hopefully Neres get’s a serious chance to showecase his talents. I’ve even seen him smile last week, the Wamberto-effect is already showing! Wöber will also have my special attention, and last year’s 5-1 against PEC gives me some delicious false hope this might be a good Saturday night to start enjoying Ajax again: 3-1 is what I’m hoping for.
Priya Ramesh [@Priya8Ramesh] – Writer and journalist
I think this promises to be a pretty entertaining game. I really respect John van’t Schip; he did a great job with Melbourne previously and his PEC side have gotten off to a flying start. PEC’s use of the 4-3-3 and the way Bakker, Saymak and Thomas are functioning in midfield is very smooth and easy on the eye – probably a style that would not look amiss at Ajax.
The hope is that the international break has given the squad a chance to pick themselves up, reflect on everything and prepare better for the future. Given how Huntelaar excelled right before the break, and Siem de Jong’s arrival, I’m interested to see how (if) Keizer changes his midfield and attack to find the right combination.
? It’s been a rocky start for David Neres at Ajax, but the young Brazilian is showing plenty of potential. pic.twitter.com/H9gjNL5Ixj
— AjaxDaily (@ajaxdailydotcom) 5 september 2017
I’d also hope Orejuela gets some playing time along with Neres, since those two seemed to have a nice link for Jong Ajax vs Jong PSV. I think it promises to be a good match, and I’m going for a 2-2 draw, although a late Siem de Jong winner may be one way for him to re-introduce himself at the ArenA.
As always, thoughts and prayers with Appie Nouri and family.
Floris Roos [@FlorisRoos] – AjaxLife blogger
Marcel Keizer hasn’t exactly tried to hide the fact he’s looking at a line-up in which both Huntelaar and Dolberg can play, and I feel we’ll get to see them in action together right from the start against PEC Zwolle. I am curious to see if that’ll work. It’s got the potential to be spectacular and I love a good surprise. Either way, the points are staying in Amsterdam – no doubt about it.
Menno Pot [@mennopot] – Writer and journalist
A weekend of internationals, two weeks without Ajax. I loved it, if only because Holland showed us, Ajax fans, that things can always be worse. And now: PEC Zwolle. At home. Will Ajax make it three wins in a row? Of course they will!
PEC Zwolle have had a good start of the season and they play quality football, but hey: this fixture takes places at the Johan Cruijff Arena. Even a not-so-great is normally goog enough to win an eredivisie home game against an opponent of this caliber. And that what they’ll do, there is no doubt on my mind.
We will not see Siem de Jong in action: he’s fit, but not ‘match fit’. I hope that Keizer will field what is potentially the Bosman/Van Basten striker duo of the 21st century: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar ánd Kasper Dolberg. If he does that one hell of an Ajax evening might lie ahead of us. 3-0 is what I say. And three wins in a row.
Bart Sanders [@bart_sanders] – Ajax follower
I think that Ajax, due to the break for the international games, has regained enough positive energy following a bad period. Van ‘t Schip plays a type of football with PEC Zwolle that is ideal for Ajax. Keizer must start with Neres and Orejuela! My bet: 4-0.
