Almere City FC vs Ajax Reserves Predictions

Jong Ajax have won their last four encounters against Almere City, and there’s a good chance that they’ll enjoy further success over Schapenkoppen when the teams clash at Yanmar Stadion this Friday evening. Michael Reiziger’s side have landed consecutive victories against top five opposition during the last fortnight, whilst City are now winless in four after a 6-1 thrashing at Sparta Rotterdam last week.

Reigning champions Jong Ajax have never really threatened to defend their Eerste Divisie title this season, but Michael Reiziger’s charges have reminded us why they won the 2017/18 title over the past couple of weeks.

Jong landed what was easily their best result of the campaign so far on match day 16 as they blew away 4^th placed Twente 2-5 at e Grolsch Veste, and they backed up that result last week with a 1-0 win in Amsterdam over 5^th placed Oss, courtesy of rising star Kaj Sierhuis who bagged his fourth goal of the season just before half time.

Reiziger’s side are up to 9^th in the table after those fine results, and back to within a point of 8^th placed Jong PSV who they’ll want to overhaul to maintain their status as the best reserve outfit in the second tier.

So although Jong have yet to string more than two consecutive wins together this term, they look a team to keep on side at the moment and it speaks volumes that they’re favourites for this week’s fixture away to Almere, despite losing six of their nine away games this season.

Jong have beaten City in the last four meetings between the teams, including a 1-2 success in last term’s corresponding fixture, and the hosts are in dire straits at present.

Michele Santoni’s side are down to 7^th in the table after accruing just nine points from their last nine league outings, and they’re winless in four following last week’s 6-1 towelling at the hands of Sparta Rotterdam.

That was always going to be a difficult test for City, especially as Sparta were out to respond to a 3-0 defeat on match day 16, but the way Santoni’s men folded is a serious concern. It leaves them potentially at risk of falling out of the Play-off places before the Christmas break, and pretty much makes them untouchable at present from a betting angle.

Jong Ajax’s overall away record and general inconsistency this season is obviously a nagging doubt here, but based on current form and the head to head record between the pair, the visitors rate as solid chances for Friday’s contest at a shade of odds-against.

It’s likely that Jong have been underachieving a little so far looking at the league table overall, and they definitely possess the quality to go on a lengthy winning run if they really want to.

So we’re siding with the defending champions for this one, and we’re also going with a 1-3 correct score with the pressure on Michele Santoni set to ramp up.