Emmen
- FC Emmen should defeat Jong Ajax when the two clubs face off in the Eerste Divisie on Monday, according to the bookies.
- The hosts are 1.5 favourites and there is enough evidence to back them at that figure.
- Emmen have been in a mixed bag of form in the last five, winning just once and being defeated three times, but the 4-0 loss at TOP Oss was a one-sided game and they have not been as bad as the stats suggest.
- Menno van Dam has instilled an energetic, possession-enabled attacking style of play at Emmen that allows them to press in short bursts and trigger turnovers, which they transition from quickly.
- The idea is to get star striker Romano Postema into as many goal situations as possible.
Jong Ajax
- Jong Ajax are a young, talented team with a different type of possession-based playing style.
- Óscar García Junyent has taken a slightly more modern approach to the game with his press-and-possess scheme, which includes organised pressing traps and vertical progression.
- Kayden Wolff leads the line with four to six goals, but is equally dangerous on the break and from set-piece situations.
Head-to-Head
FC Emmen have won four of the last five head-to-head Eerste Divisie meetings with Jong Ajax .
Key Players
- Postema has been scoring freely this season, netting 17 times for the club, and can play on the flank or as a central striker, which gives Van Dam the flexibility to play with or without a false nine.
- Emmen’s two main supporting players up top have struggled for form in recent weeks, but Franck Evina and Nelson Amadin have both scored this season.
- Djenahro Nunumete can provide some magic from deep, having provided several assists for the Dutch club.
- Emre Ünüvar is the wildcard in this game because he can be a star in short spurts if García gives him enough time on the field.
Betting Insights
- The hosts are 1.5 favourites and there is enough evidence to back them at that figure.
- Over 2.5 goals is a short price at 1.44.
Prediction
- but we believe Emmen’s superior firepower and structure will see them out.
- But Emmen’s style of football and home advantage should allow them to pick Jong Ajax apart on a regular basis, so the correct score prediction here is a 2-0 home win.
