MATCH PREVIEWS

Ajax vs Feyenoord: De Klassieker Set for Fireworks in Amsterdam

The Johan Cruijff Arena braces for another fiery edition of De Klassieker as Ajax and Feyenoord square off in a high-stakes Eredivisie clash. With both sides battling for position in the league table, expect no shortage of intensity, goals, and heated moments in one of Dutch football’s fiercest rivalries.

Ajax’s Home Comforts

Ajax sit 2nd in the Eredivisie and have turned their home ground into a stronghold, with four wins, one draw, and just one loss in their last six league matches in Amsterdam. They’re averaging 2.0 goals per game (xG: 1.82) while keeping things solid at the back, conceding 1.0 per match (xG: 0.84). Wout Weghorst leads the scoring charts with seven goals, but they will have to cope without B. Tahirovic, Owen Wijndal, and A. van Axel Dongen due to injuries.

Feyenoord’s Firepower and Flaws

Feyenoord, currently in 4th, boast one of the league’s most dangerous attacks, scoring an average of 2.25 goals per game (xG: 1.78). However, their defence has been anything but reliable, conceding 2.25 goals per match (xG: 1.38). Santiago Gimenez has been on fire, scoring 12 goals this season, including six in his last five matches. 

Betting Suggestions

If you’re feeling adventurous, 3-2 Feyenoord at 30.0 is a long shot worth considering.

For a more cautious approach, both teams to score in the first half at 3.8 could be a smart play, given their attacking output and defensive vulnerabilities.

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Arsenal vs Man City: Title Race Tension at the Emirates

It’s a blockbuster Saturday in North London as Arsenal welcome Man City to the Emirates for a showdown that could have huge implications on the Premier League title race. With the Gunners flying high in second place and City looking to close the gap from fourth, this one is set to be a thriller.

Arsenal’s Home Stronghold

Mikel Arteta’s side have been tough to break down at home, with five wins, three draws, and just one defeat in their last nine outings. They’re averaging 1.67 goals per game from an xG of 2.51, while their backline has been rock solid, conceding just 0.89 from an xG of 0.64.  Kai Havertz has been Arsenal’s leading scorer with 14 goals this season, though his form has been hit-and-miss.

Man City’s Road Woes

Pep Guardiola’s men haven’t quite been their usual dominant selves away from home, managing just two wins in their last eight on the road. Their attack is still potent, netting 1.88 goals per game (xG: 1.66), but their defence has looked unusually vulnerable, conceding 1.75 goals per match (xG: 1.76). With Erling Haaland already on 24 goals this season, City still have firepower to rely on, but injuries to Jeremy Doku, Rúben Dias, Nathan Aké, and midfield metronome Rodri could leave them exposed in key areas.

Betting Suggestions

Big games and penalties go hand in hand, and at 3.1, a penalty being awarded in this match seems like solid value in the VAR era. Arsenal’s home form, combined with City’s defensive frailties, makes a 2-0 win for the Gunners at 10.5 an intriguing option. City won’t roll over, but if Arsenal control the tempo, it’s not out of the question.

This game is available via our partner Booms Bet. Click here.

WTF?

🏆 Karma Strikes: Feyenoord Pulls an "Ajax" in Europe

Remember on Tuesday when we were all laughing at Ajax's European struggles? Well, someone at Feyenoord must've thought "hold my Heineken", because... yikes.

Three days after we roasted Ajax's continental catastrophes, Feyenoord decided to one-up their rivals with a spectacular 6-1 meltdown against Lille. Brian Priske's squad apparently got jealous of all the "European nightmare" headlines Ajax was getting.

This is what Priske’s boy managed to achieve:

• From heroes to zeros in one week flat

• Defence looked more like Dutch cheese than Dutch masters

• Suddenly, Ajax fans don't feel so alone

Tuesday’s newsletter aged about as well as milk in the sun. We went from praising Feyenoord's European prowess to watching them concede more goals than a Sunday league team. Talk about tempting fate. We won’t be praising anybody this week!

Bottom line: The lesson here? Maybe don't mock your rivals' European performances until the season's actually over. Meanwhile, in Amsterdam, Ajax fans are printing "6-1" t-shirts and having the last laugh. 😅

DID YOU KNOW?

When "Draw" Actually Meant "See You Next Week!"

Remember complaining about penalty shootouts? Well, grab your time machine because things used to be way more... inconvenient.

Back in 1914, when HVV Den Haag and Sparta Rotterdam couldn't settle their KNVB Cup final, they didn't line up for penalties. Nope. Everyone just went home and came back another day for a complete do-over. It's like ordering DoorDash and being told to come back tomorrow for the same meal.

• No extra time

• No penalties

• Just a "thanks for coming, see you next week!"

This practice continued well into the modern era, with replays being a regular thing until TV executives realised that watching two teams playing for a draw made paint-drying look like prime entertainment.

Next time you're stressed during a penalty shootout, remember: At least you do not have to explain to your boss why you need another day off to watch the same match... again. 😅

[PS: The history nerds among us will appreciate that this system actually lasted until the 1990s in some competitions. Talk about resistance to change!]

MEME OF THE DAY

That’s it! I'm going to Saudi

WHO WILL WIN?