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/ Michael Lintorn / 27 January 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Ronald Koeman managed Ajax for four years, winning the title twice
"Feyenoord have spent almost the whole season in the top six, and that position owes plenty to victories over PSV and Twente and a draw away to Ajax."
Ajax coach Frank de Boer has been talking up his side's superiority ahead of their trip to Feyenoord, but Michael Lintorn fears that he is setting himself up for a fall...
Feyenoord v Ajax, Sunday 11:30 BST, Betfair Live Video, Match odds: Feyenoord [3.05], Ajax [2.4], The Draw [3.6]
It has been ages since Feyenoord properly challenged for the Eredivisie title let alone won it, however their clashes with Ajax are still reverently regarded De Klassieker, much to the annoyance of PSV, who have actually claimed seven more championships.
Everyone in the Netherlands knows that Feyenoord are no longer a leading force, rendering it all the more unnecessary for Ajax boss Frank de Boer to note in the build-up to this latest showdown that "we are the better team, because we have better individual players".
He's right, and it certainly isn't a secret, but surely all such a comment will do is raise questions as to how such superiority translates into only a three-point gap between the two in the table and prompt Feyenoord to fight even harder to prove him wrong.
And though Ronald Koeman's side lost to lowly VVV last week, they have no trouble finding motivation for these fixtures. The fallen giants have spent almost the whole season in the top six, and that position owes plenty to victories over PSV and Twente and a draw away to Ajax.
Those wins against the capital club's title rivals came in their last two home games, so odds of [3.05] on them completing a spectacular hat-trick are rather tempting.
Recent matches at De Kuip have been rather eventful, yet collisions between these two have been less goal-heavy than your average Eredivisie encounter - the division's goal per game average is 3.27 - over the last few years.
Their last four league meetings have produced a comparatively paltry nine strikes, three of those clocking it at under 2.5 goals, so at chunky odds of [2.46], it appears worth backing that to continue.
Best Bet: Feyenoord to win @ [3.05]
Other Recommended Bet: Under 2.5 goals @ [2.46]
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