Ajax Reserves vs Twente Predictions

Twente need just three more points from their remaining four games to mathematically guarantee the title and automatic promotion to Eredivisie, but they have a really sticky fixture coming up this Friday evening as they head to Amsterdam to face Jong Ajax. Jong ran out surprise 2-5 winners in November’s reverse contest at De Grolsch Veste, so Marino Pusic’s side will be fired up to gain revenge and ensure that they return to Enschede as confirmed champions for their Easter Monday clash with Jong AZ.

There’s no doubt that Twente have been feeling the pinch In recent weeks following defeats against RKC (4-1) and Dordrecht (1-0), but the nerves were calmed last Friday as a goal from Rafik Zehknini secured a vital 1-0 success over in form Telstar at a packed De Grolsch Veste.

With 2^nd placed Sparta receiving a 1-4 hiding against Oss on Sunday, Twente have now re-extended their advantage at the top of Eerste Divisie to ten points, and promotion to Eredivisie will be secured this Friday with three matches to spare if they win in Amsterdam or if Sparta fail to beat Helmond Sport at Het Kasteel.

Sparta are long odds-on to take care of Sport so Twente will be going all out for the win at Sportpark De Toekomst to prevent a delay to their promotion party, and ordinarily they would be a good thing when you consider their record of 12 wins from 17 away fixtures this term.

But circumstances may well play a part here, and Jong Ajax will psychologically hold the upper hand after gaining one of the results of the season at De Grolsch Veste in November.

Not renowned for their strength on the road, Michael Reiziger’s side shocked Twente 2-5 in Enschede and they will be confident that they can cause Pusic’s charges further problems after dispatching 3^rd placed Go Ahead Eagles 5-2 at home on Monday.

Jong are an extremely unpredictable outfit though – they were mauled 0-6 in their previous outing in Amsterdam against Cambuur and their overall record this season of 15 wins, seven draws and 12 defeats highlights that Eerste Divisie enthusiasts can rarely predict which version of this Jong team will turn up week to week.

It would be somewhat fitting were Twente to lift the title here after taking on the defending champions, but from a betting perspective this just looks one to avoid in terms of the actual result.

The reverse fixture was a wide open affair as you may expect from a 2-5 scoreline, and this Friday’s encounter has a feel of goals about it too. Both teams have netted at least once in 31 of their 34 games this season, whilst Jong’s last three in the league have produced a whopping 17 goals. Twente do usually keep things extremely tight on their travels but shipped four in Waalwijk a fortnight ago, so there may be some legs in over 3.5 goals here at around evens with a 2-2 correct score also predicted.