Ajax v Groningen: play-off finishers meet after contrasting runs | OneFootball

Ajax face Groningen in the Eredivisie at the Kras Stadion in Volendam on Thursday, 21 May 2026, with fifth meeting ninth from the final table and both aiming to carry late-season momentum into the qualification play-off picture.

Ajax and Groningen split the league meetings earlier this season: Ajax won 2-0 at home in December, while Groningen hit back 3-1 in March.

Godenzonen arrive off a five-game run of two wins, two draws and one defeat, including away victories at Heracles and NAC Breda before a goalless finish at Heerenveen. Groningen closed with back-to-back wins over NEC and Heracles after losses to Feyenoord and Excelsior.

Godenzonen list Olexandr Zinchenko, Josip Šutalo, Kian Fitz-Jim, Vitezslav Jaros, Oliver Edvardsen and Joeri Heerkens as injured. Groningen are without Oskar Zawada, Stije Resink and David van der Werff.

On season trends, Godenzonen typically control games with 56% possession and 85.48% passing accuracy, keeping 10 clean sheets. Mika Godts is a major threat with 17 league goals and 29 goal involvements, and Wout Weghorst has added eight goals. Groningen posted 49 scored and 45 conceded with 51% possession, delivering 447 open-play crosses at 20.81% accuracy. Thom van Bergen leads their scorers with nine, and Younes Taha has supplied nine assists.

Ajax finished fifth on 56 points in the qualification play-off places, with Groningen ninth on 48. Positions are set, but a strong display here could sharpen confidence and shape the tone for what follows in the play-off picture.