Summary
Match analysis
The team from the Dutch capital found themselves in a difficult match that the Kasteelheren defended well. Bergwijn and Akpom came off the bench to save Ajax. This result leaves van 't Schip's team in fifth place, 8 points ahead of AZ, which is in fourth place, while the Spartans have now gone five games without a win.
Match ends
The Amsterdam side equalized. Akpom was Ajax's savior coming off the bench; goal and assist from the English player. Sparta were already tasting victory.
🟥 EXPULSED!
Kaplan gets a red card for stopping a Sparta breakthrough. Ajax are down to one man.
90'
Add 4 minutes.
88' ⚽️ ¡GOAL FOR AJAX!
Bergwijn ties it up!
84'
The match is progressing and time is running out for Ajax, who are not attacking as before. The Rotterdam team feels comfortable on the pitch.
80'
Brobbey is already going straight to the locker room, he could not continue; Julian Rijkhoff came in his place.
78' Leaves injured
Brobbey touched his right leg after a run, sprawled on the turf and was sent off.
76'
The home side moved the ball around the pitch trying to find space and van den Boomen was encouraged to finish the move with a deflected shot.
70'
Play is stopped for a Sparta player to receive medical attention.
65' ⚽️ ¡GOAL FOR AJAX!
Jordan Henderson's diagonal cross was headed in at the far post by Akpom. Ajax had already scored.
62' Ajax insiste
Kenneth Taylor's cross and Brian Brobbey anticipates the center-backs, but arrives in time to connect with his shot.
58'
Shot by Jorrel Hato. Nick Olij easily headed the ball to his left side.
55' Ajax changes
Ajax need to react and van 't Schip sends Steven Bergwijn and Chuba Akpom onto the pitch; Gotds and Hlynsson leave.
48'
Ajax responds. Taylor had a poor shot on goal and Nick Olij kept it out without any problems.
46' ⚽️ ¡GOAL FOR SPARTA ROTTERDAM!
Spectacular! The home side have barely begun to add to their lead. Verschueren scores again.
Second half begins
The ball is rolling at Rotterdam Castle. The Spartans beat the Amsterdam side by the narrowest of margins.
Analysis of the first half
Ajax are finding it difficult to take the initiative with the ball, they are not managing to flow in the best way in the Sparta half, who have looked more dangerous when they counterattack. Van 't Schip's team experienced some turbulent moments after the goal.
First half ends
The first 45 minutes are over. Sparta Rotterdam is breaking a streak of 15 years without being able to beat Ajax, today they do it 1-0.
45'
1 minute of reinstatement is announced.
40'
Brobbey's shot inside the box. Goalkeeper Olij and his teammate prevent Ajax from scoring.
36' Sparta attacks
Saito attacks again on his left side, but is stopped. Ajax are finding the game hard to play and John van 't Schip looks worried.
30'
Kenneth Taylor fell inside the area, a foul is called, but the referee does not signal anything.
28' ⚽️ ¡GOAL FOR SPARTA ROTTERDAM!
A good cross from Saito on the left, Vershueren cut inside the box and crossed for Ramak to miss.
25' Ramaj makes a save
The German goalkeeper saves his team after a dangerous cross
18'
Sparta stole a ball in their own half, counterattacked, but Clement's cross was unsuccessful. Ajax's stance will be to take the initiative, while the home side will be reactive.
12'
Minutes in favor of Ajax who have produced two important plays so far. Brobbey will be key in the air.
6'
Important play in the Sparta box. Godts fails to find someone available to finish and Ajax missed a chance to score.
5'
Good cross from Saito that Verschueren fails to get a good header on target. The first important arrival of the match.
The match begins
The referee has whistled and Sparta Rotterdam vs Ajax for Matchday 26 of the Eredivisie begins.
Already out in the field
Referees and players from both teams already take the field for the initial protocol.
Everything ready to start
The players are ready to take the field. The stands are almost full at the Castle, but the rain is not letting up in Rotterdam.
The stadium
The Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel was built in 1916 and has the peculiarity of having a castle-like facade with two small towers at the entrance. It hosted the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games and has a capacity for 11,026 people.
Already warming up
The players come out to warm up. The fans gradually begin to take their places in the stands. The weather is cloudy and there is a little rain.
🔥🆙#spaaja pic.twitter.com/cQLdlS1Eqx
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) March 17, 2024
Arbitration
Serdar Gözübüyük will be the referee in this promising match. On the other hand, tickets are expected to be sold out at the Rotterdam Castle.
Sparta Rotterdam lineup
These are the eleven players that Jeroen Rijsdijk sends. There are no changes in the lineup compared to the last game against Twente.
Ajax lineup
These are the players that John van 't Schip sends. He presents 3 changes in relation to the midweek match against Aston Villa in Conference League.
Equipment arrived
The players of both teams are already at the Sparta Stadion. The temperature is 14°c. The forecast is cloudy with a 5% chance of rain, perfect conditions to enjoy an afternoon of soccer.
Kick-off is at 4:45 hrs local time.
Other matches
This match is the penultimate match of the day. PSV and Twente close Day 26 of the Eredivisie. Earlier today, AZ thrashed Volendam 4-0, a result that does not suit the Amsterdam team, as they are 9 points ahead. At the moment, NEC is losing to Utrecht, a situation that suits John van 't Schip's team.
Confrontations
Sparta and Ajax met last December 9. The capital club won 2-1 with goals from Steven Bergwijn and Brian Brobbey. Spartans have not been able to beat Ajax since 2009, when they won 4-0, a match that the Rotterdam fans remember well.
Watch out for this player
Ajax has the current top scorer of the competition, Brian Brobbey. The 22-year-old Dutch player could be key for this match where his team urgently needs the three points.
We are back
In a few minutes the match between Sparta Rotterdam vs Ajax will kick off for Matchday 26 of the Eredivisie, which promises to be an interesting match between the two teams. Don't miss the preview and the minute by minute of the match that you can follow here on VAVEL.
Stay tuned for live coverage of Sparta Rotterdam vs Ajax in Eredivisie
In a few moments we will share with you the starting lineups for Sparta Rotterdam vs Ajax live on Matchday 26 of the Eredivisie, as well as the latest information.
Guide to Sparta Rotterdam vs Ajax Live: TV Broadcast Options and Where to Watch Online
This match will not be broadcast on TV.
If you want to watch Sparta Rotterdam vs Ajax on streaming, you can do it on Star+. Available for Mexico, Central and South America.
For the United States, the match can be seen on ESPN+.
If you want to follow the match live online, VAVEL is your best option.
What time is the Sparta Rotterdam vs Ajax Eredivisie match?
This is the kick-off time for the Sparta Rotterdam vs Ajax Eredivisie match, Sunday, March 17 in several countries:
Argentina: 12:45 PM
Bolivia: 11:45 AM
Brazil: 12:45 PM
Chile: 10:45 AM
Colombia: 10:45 AM
Ecuador: 10:45 AM
USA (ET): 11:45 AM
Spain: 4:45 PM
Mexico: 9:45 AM
Paraguay: 12:45 PM
Peru: 10:45 AM
Uruguay: 12:45 PM
Venezuela: 11:45 AM
Absences
Jeroen Rijsdijk will be without Bart Vriends and Joshua Kitolano on Sunday afternoon. However, Camiel Neghli will return to the match selection.
Possible Sparta Rotterdam starting lineup:
Olij; Bakari, Meissen, Eerdhuijzen, Van der Kust; Clemente, De Guzman, Verschueren; Mito, Lauritsen, Saito.
Possible Ajax starting lineup:
Ramaj; Gooijer, Sutalo, Hato, Sosa; Mannsverk, Henderson, Taylor; Akpom, Brobbey, Hierbas.
Last five Ajax matches
14 March - Aston Villa 4-0 Ajax (Conference League)
10 March - Ajax 2-2 Fortuna (Eredivisie)
7 March - Ajax 0-0 Aston Villa (Conference League)
3 March - Ajax 2-0 Utrech (Eredivisie)
25 February - AZ 2-0 Ajax (Eredivisie)
Last five matches of Sparta Rotterdam
9 March - Twente 2-1 Sparta (Eredivisie)
2 March - Sparta 1-1 AZ (Eredivisie)
24 February - NEC 2-0 Sparta (Eredivisie)
17 February - Sparta 4-2 Excelsior (Eredivisie)
11 February - Feyernoord 2-0 Sparta (Eredivisie)
How is Ajax coming along?
Ajax are not at their best this season. They are in fifth place in the standings, six points out of a European playoff spot. In midweek they were comprehensively beaten 4-0 against Aston Villa in the Conference League, being eliminated from the competition; they had drawn goalless in the first leg.
After the elimination the goal should propel them to fourth place in the Eredivisie, but they have a 13-point gap to third-placed Twente, well out of their reach with only nine games to go.
They won only two of their last 10 games in all competitions. Prior to that, they had strung together three wins.
How is Sparta Rotterdam coming along?
After a solid start to the season, there is disappointment at Sparta for failing to stay in the top five. They have won only three in 13 games in all competitions since last December. Most recently they managed just one win in eight games; it was 4-2 over 15th-placed Excelsior. They are coming off a couple of tough games against third- and fourth-placed AZ and Twente. They occupy the eleventh position with 30 points. A header by Arno Verschueren cancelled out a goal by Yukinari Sugawara fifteen minutes before the end, resulting in a 1-1 draw for Sparta. That result gave them confidence last Saturday, when Sparta visited FC Twente, although they ended up losing 2-1.
Welcome to VAVEL.com’s coverage of the Eredivisie match: Sparta Rotterdam vs Ajax Live Updates!
Welcome to VAVEL.com's live coverage of Sparta Rotterdam vs Ajax, matchday 26 of the Eredivisie. The match will take place at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel at 9:45 am Central Mexican Time.
My name is Angel Ortega and I will be your host for this match. We will bring you pre-match analysis, data, score updates and live news here on VAVEL.