Ajax face AZ Alkmaar in a crucial game on Saturday night. The Amsterdammers will be going into this game high on confidence, with three wins in their last three games.

Ajax defeated FC Groningen 2-5 in the Euroborg and produced a dominant performance. They then followed that up with a controlled performance against Atalanta, beating the Italian side 2-0 thanks to goals from Tolu Arokodare and Abdellah Ouazane.

They then beat Sparta Rotterdam 1-2 at Het Kasteel. Ajax did play well in the first half, but produced a lacklustre second-half performance. Despite that, Michel Sanchez's side still managed to hold onto the lead and secure all three points.

Ajax have not had the most consistent start to the season, but they currently sit second in the Eredivisie table, and recent performances provide real reasons for optimism.

AZ Alkmaar currently sit just one point behind Ajax. They have only won one of their last five games in the Eredivisie, but they had a strong start to the season, winning their first five games. While their recent Eredivisie form has been underwhelming, they have won their last two games in the Europa League, which were against Hapoel Beer Sheva and Ararat Armenia.

Steven Berghuis is expected to return to the squad against AZ Alkmaar after six weeks on the sidelines.

Ajax will, however, be without Simon Adingra, Caio Henrique, Anton Gaaei, Oliver Edvardsen and Kasper Dolberg.

Adingra is dealing with the same injury he had when he signed for Ajax on deadline day. It is expected that he will not be available until after the international break, but it is unclear exactly when the Ivorian will return to action.

Henrique, Gaaei and Edvardsen are expected to return to action next week, according to various reports.

Kasper Dolberg is continuing to recover from a severe knee injury and is not expected to be available anytime soon, with various reports claiming that he may not return to action this season.

Marc ter Stegen performed brilliantly against Sparta Rotterdam in Ajax's last game and will keep his place in goal.

At left-back, Owen Wijndal will likely replace Youri Baas. In central defence, Dies Janse should keep his place in the team after impressive performances recently. Aaron Bouwman should come back into the team after being rested against Sparta. At right-back, Lucas Rosa has been impressive recently and should keep his place in the team.

In midfield, Michel will likely make no changes. Sofyan Amrabat, Jorthy Mokio and Julian Brandt give Ajax a lot of balance in the middle of the park, and it is a midfield that has worked well together in the last few games.

Davy Klaassen will likely start on the right wing, coming into midfield when Ajax have the ball. Viktor Tsygankov has struggled for form this season, and while Berghuis is back, he has spent a lengthy period on the sidelines. It is therefore unlikely he will start. On the left wing, Abdellah Ouazane should keep his place in the team, having scored two goals in his last two games. Tolu Arokodare is in brilliant form and should start as the striker.

Ajax predicted starting line-up vs AZ Alkmaar: Ter Stegen; Rosa, Bouwman, Janse, Wijndal; Amrabat, Mokio, Brandt; Klaassen, Tolu, Ouazane.