Game Preview: Ajax-Feyenoord

09 May: As if "The Classic" of Dutch football ever needed any circumstances to increase its significance, this Sunday's match between Ajax and Feyenoord is a direct confrontation for second place in the league and, thus, for direct qualification in next seasons' Champions League.

If Ajax can grab all three points from their arch-rivals, they'll control their own destiny regarding the second place position. After Feyenoord, Ajax face Vitesse at home, Twente away, and AZ at home to close the season. Vitesse will be a difficult match, as usual. AZ is the easiest one; they will be safe from relegation by that time and will not care that much.

FC Twente are playing their last few games for nothing and will probably already be thinking about the Amstel Cup final against PSV, to be played the Thursday folowing their match against Ajax. However, Ajax has played very poorly away from home this season, so no points will be easily gained on the road.

But to the matter at hand: Ajax and Feyenoord have both been performing very poorly since the winterbreak. Both teams really need the win. The supporters of either team will be distraught over a loss to their rivals under any circumstances. However, the loser might also be overtaken by Roda, and dropping below third place means losing a shot at Champions League playoffs or even a UEFA Cup berth. At this point, only PSV and FC Twente are guaranteed European football next season.

How the mighty have fallen...

When Feyenoord beat Ajax 3-1 in De Kuip stadium this past December, they found themselves seven points ahead of their rivals, with three games in hand, to make the potential difference sixteen points. But without making much of an impression themselves, Ajax have seen the tide turn in an almost miraculous way.

Feyenoord has lost eight times since the winter break, having stumbled in no less than five out of their last six league games, including devastating home defeats against small-timers De Graafschap (1-2) and Fortuna Sittard (2-3).

Feyenoord haven't won a league game in Amsterdam since 1987, when Ajax lost to Feyenoord a few days after their Cup Winners Cup victory.

But let's not get complacent. Ajax haven't beaten Feyenoord in a long while. Last year's meetings ended 2-3 in Amsterdam for the Dutch Super Cup, and 1-1 in Rotterdam and 2-2 in Amsterdam in league play. Ajax's last victory against their rivals was 02 May, 1999: a 6-0 drubbing at home.

But statistics and mere results don't tell you too much, especially in the case of Ajax vs Feyenoord. It's more important that Feyenoord is experiencing the suspension and injury worries Ajax had to deal with during the game in Rotterdam earlier this year. Bert van Marwijk will have to miss out on striker Smolarek and defender Rzasa due to suspensions. Russian striker Igor Korneev, scorer of both Feyenoord goals against Fortuna last weekend, is injured and will not play. The availablility of beautiful right winger Kalou is doubtful.

(Thierry de Boer, MP and JM contributed to this match preview.)