Ajax v Utrecht: qualification play-off momentum meets recent head-to-head edge | OneFootball

Ajax and Utrecht meet in the Eredivisie qualification play-offs on Sunday, 24 May 2026 at the Kras Stadion in Volendam, with both sides chasing Europe after finishing fifth and sixth and riding midweek semi-final wins.

Utrecht edged the most recent meeting, winning 2-1 in Amsterdam on 10 May, and arrive on a strong run to test Ajax again.

Form-wise, the Godenzonen have mixed results across their last five (win, draw, loss, draw, win), including a 2-0 semi-final victory over Groningen. Utrecht have surged, responding to a heavy defeat at Excelsior with four straight wins, capped by a 3-2 semi-final success against Heerenveen.

Selection could matter. Ajax list Olexandr Zinchenko, Ko Itakura and Josip Šutalo among their injured absentees. Utrecht are without Victor Jensen, Miguel Rodríguez and David Min.

On the pitch, the Godenzonen tend to control the ball, averaging 56% possession with 85.39% pass accuracy and 64 league goals. Mika Godts is a major threat, ranking second in the Eredivisie scoring chart with 17, while Wout Weghorst has added eight. Utrecht's route may come from wide areas. They deliver crosses with 26.92% accuracy, have scored 14 headed goals, and Souffian El Karouani has supplied 12 assists, with Gjivai Zechiël on eight league goals.

Both clubs ended the regular season in the qualification play-off places, Ajax fifth on 56 points and Utrecht sixth on 53. A win here would keep their European bid on track at the business end of the campaign.