Unbeaten in three, albeit with only one win coming in their most recent fixture, Ajax will now be aiming to do the double over one of their biggest rivals.
A trip to Rotterdam to play Feyenoord can mean that, if victorious, Ajax can close the gap to just three points on their opponents who sit two places ahead of them in fourth.
For Ajax, Champions League qualification is a priority, though with their fiercest rivals, PSV Eindhoven so far ahead in first, their most realistic aim is to finish second.
Having recorded a 2-0 win over Feyenoord in mid-December, during a phase where the side were resurgent, the club has struggled for consistency since, despite a considerable turnaround from their early season form.
Not conceding and suffering silly defeats has been somewhat of an achilles heel for the Amsterdam club this term, though a 4-1 win over Fortuna Sittard last time out means that they will go into this clash full of confidence.
Players To Watch
Mika Godts is really having a standout season and having bagged a brace last time out, the winger will be looking to carry his form forward, while fellow teenage sensation, Rayane Bounida also found himself on the scoresheet and looks to be a handful.
In the reverse, meanwhile, it was Davy Klassen who got on the scoresheet suffered a nasty gash to the eye during that match, while, fellow midfielder Jeremy Mokio, who made sure of the win in stoppage time and who also netted against Fortuna is also one to watch.
Kasper Dolberg is an obvious target man for the side, and though he has been less than prolific this season, the Dane does have considerable potential and is a handful for defenders.
A Team Now In The Ascendency?
Based on the performance last time out, it does feel as though this team is starting to gel. Interim boss Fred Grim has seemingly begun to reinstall the ‘Ajax’ way and with the experience of Klassen, surrounded by exciting youngsters, fans should be encouraged.
Future prospect, Sean Steur, who certainly has a bright future, has put in some extremely mature performances and could well be another major breakout star this season. A sterling outing against a major opponent will really raise his stakes and this could be the match where he can come of age.
If Ajax are to prove that they can push on for the rest of the season, then this game is a good place to start and everyone involved needs to perform at the levels that they are capable of.
It is at the back where there may still be question marks over the team, especially against stronger opposition. Josip Sutalo scored an own goal last time out, though is considered arguably the club’s strongest defender, though the experience of Oleksandr Zinchenko can be a difference-maker.
No doubt this is a big clash and the team may well be judged by fans on how the type of performance they put in.