Ajax
- AFC Ajax and FC Utrecht finished in 5th and 6th place after the 2025-26 Eredivisie regular season with 56 and 53 points respectively.
- Ajax’s recent form has been mixed, with two wins, two draws and a 2-1 home defeat to Utrecht.
- The hosts are a high-tempo team, playing a 4-3-3 system with lots of ball movement, aggressive pressing and players swapping positions to create overloads.
Utrecht
- Utrecht are arriving on a high after their 3-2 play-off semi-final win over Heerenveen and come into this game with a little bit of momentum, while Ajax’s form has been fairly mediocre.
- Utrecht’s Ron Jans has instilled a compact, hard-working style that has served the club well in the knockout phase of the season and throughout a tricky season.
- Utrecht’s form has been inconsistent, but it is clear that they are a dangerous side that can record big wins or lose by five, as happened at Excelsior a few weeks ago.
Head-to-Head
- Sunday’s 2025-26 Eredivisie play-off final is being played at the neutral Kras Stadion in Volendam because of a concert at Ajax’s home ground, so Ajax do not have that advantage.
- Utrecht have won both Eredivisie fixtures between these sides this season, although both games were close - 2-1 to the visitors in Amsterdam and 2-1 at home.
Key Players
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Ajax
- Rayane Bounida and the creative midfielders provide the through balls and set-piece deliveries that feed Mike Godts, their main goal threat.
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Utrecht
- Gjivai Zechiël and Dani de Wit are their main scoring and creative influences.
- Artem Stepanov’s return to the squad with a goal in the win over Heerenveen was a timely boost to the attack, while Souffian El Karouani and Mike van der Hoorn offer defensive solidity, as well as goals.
- Goalkeeper Vasilios Barkas has also produced some big saves in the recent run.
Betting Insights
- Ajax’s odds of 1.73 here look a bit short for a home team that has not dominated the Eredivisie as they usually do while Utrecht and the tie are available at 4.32, which seems high.
- Ajax should win this game, but the fact that the bookies are leaning towards them is a reason to consider other bets - such as the tie or an upset win for the visitors.
Prediction
The most likely outcome of this play-off is still a narrow Ajax win, but the head-to-head record and Utrecht’s recent results make a upset look possible, especially if they can make the most of their chances.