Based on the statistics, we look ahead to the 25th round in the Eredivisie. AZ will visit PhD student NEC in a full De Goffert, while Ajax will receive RKC in-house.
NEC – AZU
Aboukhlal saved point:
The Alkmaarders visited NEC in Nijmegen 37 times before. Fifteen times without points, eleven times AZ went to Alkmaar with one point and eleven times it returned home with the full loot. Saved earlier this season Zakaria Aboukhlal a point for AZ in injury time† The last time in De Goffert it was 2-1, a goal from former NEC player Alireza Jahanbakhsh was not enough after a red card for Ridgeciano Haps.
Fastest goals in Nijmegen:
The last Alkmaar victory in Nijmegen was in 2016. Markus Henriksen, Levi Garcia and Jahanbakhsh ensured a 3-0 final score. Henriksen’s goal was one of the fastest ever in AZ history, the Norwegian scored after 33 seconds. Another quick goal came from David Mendes Da Silva in 2008 after three minutes. It didn’t yield any points, as NEC turned it all around and was 4-1 after 24 minutes. It ended up being 5-2.
Thirteen matches unbeaten:
Despite of the defeat against Ajax AZ has been unbeaten in the Eredivisie for thirteen matches in a row. The last loss in the competition was against Feyenoord last November. The Alkmaarders have already won six away games in a row. This series started in December against Ajax, after which Fortuna Sittard, FC Twente, PSV, RKC Waalwijk and Go Ahead Eagles were defeated.
‘Daddy Cool’ is missing:
PhD candidate NEC brought Wilfried Bony back to the Dutch fields, but he was injured during his return and will not play this afternoon. Jordy Bruijn, who STILL scored in Alkmaar, is still a question mark. Pedro Ruiz, Rens van Eijden (former AZ), Mathias de Wolf, Joep van der Sluijs and Javier Vet are missing with an injury.
Captain Wijndal suspended:
Owen Wijndal is not there on the AZ side. He took his fifth yellow card against Feyenoord and therefore has to miss a game due to suspension. This would allow acquisition Milos Kerkez to make his basic debut. Fredrik Midtsjø was missing against Ajax and is a question mark due to hamstring complaints. Defender Sam Beukema is still in doubt due to a hard blow to his nose. He may be playing with a mask.
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Ajax – RKC
Two last editions 3-0:
The match against RKC was scheduled for 27 times earlier in Amsterdam. Ajax won 23 times, three times it was 0-0 and once the three points were for the Waalwijkers. In 1999 it became 2-1 for the Brabanters. The last two editions it was 3-0 for Ajax. Last year, the game against RKC was the first home game of the season. Dusan Tadic, Zakaria Labyad and Lisandro Martínez scored the goals. Luuk Wouters of RKC was shown red.
Quick goals against RKC:
Remarkably enough, it became 3-0 six times for Ajax against RKC. In one of those victories in 1993, Frank Rijkaard scored the opening goal after just three minutes. Dan Petersen and Marc Overmars scored the 2-0 and 3-0. Four years earlier, in 1989, Aron made 1-0 after just four minutes. That was a lot more exciting, because it was 3-2. By the way, all goals in that game came in the first half.
Former Ajax player Vurnon Anita:
In the current selection of RKC, Vurnon Anita has a history with Ajax. The international from Curaçao played with the team from Amsterdam from 1999 to 2013. Other well-known former players include Derk Boerrigter, Kostas Lamprou, Dennis Rommedahl, Jan Vertonghen and Thomas Vermaelen. Current Ajax coach Erik ten Hag has a past as a player at RKC.
Undefeated on March 6:
Today’s date is favorable to Ajax. The team from Amsterdam has not lost a game on March 6 in the past. Ajax once played against RKC, that was in Waalwijk in 2004. Ajax won 1-0 with an own goal from Steve Olfers.
Gravenberch long without a goal:
Ryan Gravenberch is one of the field players who hasn’t scored in a while. He has not scored 20 games since his goal against Vitesse in August. Substitute Perr Schuurs is the field player in the selection of the team from Amsterdam who waits the longest for a goal in the Eredivisie. His last goal was on February 21, 2021 against Sparta Rotterdam, 23 games ago.