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Feyenoord threaten Ajax in a classic duel

Ajax aren't as convincing as in previous seasons, and Feyenoord started picking up form after a bad start. They have their hopes about being successful in a classical Dutch duel in Amsterdam

There's no bigger rivalry in Netherlands than the one between Ajax and Feyenoords. Their matches are regularly played early so the chances of the fans' riots in the city where the match is played are prevented or at least reduced.

When it comes to the green court, Ajax left Feyenoord far behind with the number of trophies, but still, the club from Rotterdam have a status of a great club, mostly because of the huge fandom that always stood behind them, both in good seasons and bad.

This match is played in Amsterdam, and Ajax, on the second place, are eight points ahead of the third-placed Feyenoord. Since the leader, PSV, have a match more and are seven points ahead, this match is crucial for Ajax to reduce that difference. It's perhaps the last chance for Feyenoord to get closer to the second place and getting placed to the Champions League pre-round.

When it comes to quality and games, these two clubs are pretty evened out, and Feyenoord paid dearly for their bad start of the season, when the coach Fred Rutten was helping the team who lost a few key starting players. Ajax aren't as convincing as they were in the previous four years when they were getting the champion title, which is obvious from the difference between them and PSV.

- We're absolutely aware we'll have a tough job today, but if we want to fight for the title, we have to defeat Feyenoord - Ajax coach Frank de Boer said. His team were completely outplayed in the first match this season, in Rotterdam, but Feyenoord were missing chances that seemed impossible to miss, and conceded the goal thanks to their own goalie's mistake, so Ajax won 1-0.

- Feyenoord have a good team with a few players who can make the difference, and we know we have to offer the best game to reach our goals. This is the biggest match for the fans emotionally, you know what a "classic" means, and I believe my players will solve the demands the right way - Ajax coach is hoping. From the important players in his team, the offensive midfielder Klaasen who scored five goals, and the defender Veltman are missing. It's a big handicap for the home team.

Feyenoord picked up their form and results as the championship went on, and everybody in Rotterdam believes that they can get the second place which would take them to the Champions League. The first condition to do that is to defeat Ajax in Amsterdam, and coach Fred Rutten and his team promise a brave and open game in the announcements.

- Since the mid October last year, my team's self-confidence kept growing, and beside knowing how to play pretty football, we also know how to fight. We'll need both to be successful in Amsterdam today - Fred Rutten pointed out. The only one missing in his team is the wing forward Manu who's injury is a major one.

- We crushed Ajax with our game in the first match, but couldn't score, and I think Ajax might be a bit worried about that today, and they'll be more careful. I think nuances will decide this match, and we have what it takes to try and win - Rutten concluded. Feyenoord didn't win in Amsterdam since the 2005/2006 season, and got only one point in the last four seasons during which Ajax were Netherlands' champion.

When Ajax and Feyenoord play, it's always a football holiday. Ajax and Feyenoord are known for playing an offensive football. They concede under one goal per game, and the first match they played this season ended up 1-0 for Ajax, but it could have easily been 5-3 for Feyenoord. They had good ideas, but couldn't score, and that often happens in "classic" games like this one.
Getting one point means nothing for either of them. Ajax would just increase the difference between them and the first-placed PSV, and Feyenoord wouldn't get closer to the second place, and would even jeopardize the third place they're currently holding. It's obvious that nobody will calculate here, and all the options with three goals or over total are very realistic, and are followed with tempting odds, which is actually surprising.
Both teams miss only one forward, but that shouldn't be crucial because there are plenty of quality individuals in both teams. I see this match as a quest for the win for both these teams, and that's why we pick the option of at least three goals total. It happened in five matches before the first match this season, and eight times of ten matches they played, and in those two exactly two goals were scored.