Ajax vs Willem II is set for 20.00 at the Johan Cruijff Arena, and Willem II arrive in Amsterdam with a familiar starting point. After Friday’s 1-1 draw away at AZ, the Tilburg club is using the same eleven again for its second trip to Noord-Holland in a few days.
That continuity is the main team note for Willem II. The visitors are not changing the lineup that earned a point at AZ, which suggests the coaching staff is sticking with the group that handled the last away test well enough to stay competitive. In a short turnaround, that kind of consistency can matter as much as anything else.
Two midfielders back in the squad
The other major development for Willem II is the return of two players to the matchday squad. Anass Zarrouk and Jari Schuurman are both back after months of injury trouble, giving Willem II more options in midfield even if neither return changes the starting eleven for this game.
For Zarrouk in particular, the timing is notable. A return after months out does not immediately mean a heavy workload, but it does give Willem II another experienced name available if the match opens up or if the team needs to adjust later on. Schuurman’s return offers the same kind of boost in depth.
Ajax make several changes
On the other side, Ajax are expected to field several changed starters, which adds another layer to a game already shaped by squad movement. The contrast is clear: Willem II are keeping their side intact, while Ajax are going with a different look in front of their own supporters.
That makes the opening stages worth watching. Willem II will try to lean on the structure they used against AZ, while Ajax have the option to attack with fresh faces and a different balance. In a match where one team is steady and the other is altered, the early rhythm often tells the story.
For Willem II, the question is simple enough: can the same eleven produce another useful result away from home? After a 1-1 draw at AZ, they have already shown they can compete on the road. Now they get a second chance, this time against Ajax in Amsterdam.
