John Heitinga has announced Ajax’s line-up for the top match against AZ. The coach chooses to place Mohammed Kudus, who has returned from an injury, directly in the base. Devyne Rensch is preferred as right back to Jorge Sánchez. The match starts at 9 p.m. and can be viewed on ESPN 2.
As expected, Gerónimo Rulli starts under the bar with the team from Amsterdam. The defense is completed by Rensch, Jurriën Timber, Edson Álvarez and Jorrel Hato. In midfield, Heitinga opts for Kenneth Taylor, Davy Klaasen and Dusan Tadic. Steven Berghuis was a doubtful case, but is not included in the selection. Kudus takes his place at the forefront, while Brian Brobbey acts as striker. Steven Bergwijn serves as the left winger.
Ajax received very welcome windfalls this week with the return of Rensch and Kudus. The latter made less than a minute in PSV’s cup final, which was lost after penalties, but is fully available again against AZ. Before his injury, the Ghanaian was one of the most determined players with the team from Amsterdam. Ajax can use Kudus well, as the club can use some new offensive impulses. Kudus scored the opening goal during the game in Alkmaar earlier this season, but nevertheless saw his team lose 2-1. Partly because of this, the lead of number three Ajax on number four AZ is only two points.
?? Devyne Rensch ?? Mohammed Kudus https://t.co/u58pO5urac pic.twitter.com/gFqO6Ech6N
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) May 6, 2023
At the end of the season, the number four in the Eredivisie will receive a ticket for the preliminary round of the Conference League, the tournament that AZ hopes to win this season. Pascal Jansen’s team awaits a nice test in Ajax before the first leg in London against West Ham United. Just like the Amsterdammers, the Alkmaarders also received excellent news from the infirmary, as Jens Odgaard and Vangelis Pavlidis are fully available again. In addition, Dani de Wit is approaching his return, although the duel in the Johan Cruijff ArenA is still too early, just like for Jesper Karlsson. AZ will perform in special black shirts, which will be auctioned afterwards for the benefit of the Alkmaar Zaanstreek Foundation.
Setup Ajax: Rulli; Rensch, Timber, Alvarez, Hato; Klaassen, Taylor; Kudus, Tadic, Bergwijn; Brobbey.
Setup AZ: Ryan; Sugawara, Hatzidiakos, Beukema, Kerkez; Clasie, Reijnders, Mijnans; Odgaard, Pavlidis, Van Brederode.
| No. | Team | m | W | G | v | +/- | Pnt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feyenoord | 30 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 45 | 73 |
| 2 | PSV | 30 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 46 | 65 |
| 3 | Ajax | 30 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 47 | 62 |
| 4 | AZ | 30 | 18 | 6 | 6 | 27 | 60 |
| 5 | Sparta Rotterdam | 30 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 17 | 53 |
| 6 | FC Twente | 30 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 25 | 52 |
| 7 | FC Utrecht | 30 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 45 |
| 8 | RKC Waalwijk | 31 | 11 | 8 | 12 | -3 | 41 |
| 9 | NEC | 30 | 8 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 38 |
| 10 | sc Heerenveen | 30 | 10 | 8 | 12 | -9 | 38 |
| 11 | Go Ahead Eagles | 30 | 9 | 9 | 12 | -8 | 36 |
| 12 | Fortuna Sittard | 30 | 9 | 5 | 16 | -21 | 32 |
| 13 | Vitesse | 30 | 7 | 10 | 13 | -12 | 31 |
| 14 | FC Volendam | 31 | 8 | 6 | 17 | -28 | 30 |
| 15 | FC Emmen | 30 | 6 | 10 | 14 | -22 | 28 |
| 16 | Excelsior | 30 | 8 | 4 | 18 | -39 | 28 |
| 17 | Fc Groningen | 30 | 4 | 5 | 21 | -32 | 17 |
| 18 | SC Cambuur | 30 | 4 | 4 | 22 | -39 | 16 |