Our prediction for this KNVB Cup match:
De Graafschap
Match Time & Date:
02/03/2023
12:00 PM
Prediction: 0-3
Ajax
De Vijverberg will host Thursday’s KNVB Beker clash between De Graafschap and Ajax, the two teams who meet for the first time since May 2019. The Amsterdammers are fighting tooth and nail to defend their Eredivisie title, but they want to go all the way in the Dutch Cup as well. Ajax have been producing fine displays ever since interim boss John Heitinga took over the reins, and seeing that the former Netherlands international has a full squad to choose from, away win should be considered. Both Brian Brobbey and Calvin Bassey should be recalled to the starting XI.
Meanwhile, De Graafschap failed to impress in back-to-back losses to Roda (0-2) and Eindhoven (0-4), and seeing that they conceded 12 goals in total in the previous two meetings with Ajax, anything but a routine away win would be a big sensation. A man to watch in the home team will be Camiel Neghli, who scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Eindhoven.
Highlighted Player (Davy Klaassen):
Davy Klaassen is a product of Ajax’s youth academy. He played for the Amsterdammers at youth level from 2004 to 2012 and he made his debut for the senior team against Olympique Lyon in the Champions League group stages. Klaassen was born on 22 February, 1993 in Hilversum, Netherlands and he plays as an attacking midfielder.
He is capable of playing as a secondary striker as well and it has to be noted that the Dutch footballer scored 13 goals in 31 league appearances for Ajax in the 2015/2016 Eredivisie campaign. Klaassen has four caps for Netherlands U21 team and he made his debut for the first team on 5 March, 2014 in a friendly against France.
The Dutch midfielder scored his first goal for the national team against Spain on 31 March, 2015 and, no doubt, that was one of the brightest moments of his career. The Ajax footballer won his third Eredivisie trophy with the Amsterdammers in the 2013/2014 campaign.
Highlighted Team (Ajax):
Ajax is a Dutch football club that was founded on 18 March, 1900. Ajax are well known for their youth academy, which regarded as one of the best youth football schools in the world. The likes of Johan Cruijff, Edwin van der Sar, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Kluivert, Rafael van der Vaart and Marco van Basten are all products of Ajax’s football academy. The Amsterdammers share a big rivalry with Feyenoord and there have always been fireworks when the two teams face each other in De Klassieker.
During the seventies Feyenoord and Ajax were the only two teams who were capable of winning the domestic trophies, while PSV have been playing an important role in Dutch football in the 21st century. PSV and Ajax are regarded as big rivals as well and the two teams square off against each other in De Topper. Ajax play their home games at Amsterdam ArenA, the stadium that was opened on 14 August, 1996. The Amsterdammers won their fourth European Cup (Champions League) trophy in 1995, beating Milan in the title game in Vienna.
Aston Villa 
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Genoa
Atalanta
Sevilla 
Atletico Madrid 
Milan
Napoli
Barcelona
Granada
Juventus 
Udinese
