Highligted: Power Strikes vs Super Subs in Utrecht – Ajax Showdown
Only two matches this Easter weekend in the Eredivisie — but don’t be fooled by the quiet schedule. On Easter Sunday, a high-stakes showdown takes centre stage: FC Utrecht vs Ajax. The hosts are fighting to hold onto fourth place and quietly eyeing more. Ajax, meanwhile, head to the Galgenwaard looking to take another step toward sealing the title early.
A trip to Stadion Galgenwaard is rarely straightforward for Ajax. Since 2000, the Amsterdam side have lost 41% of their Eredivisie away matches against FC Utrecht — a worse record on the road only exists against PSV. In recent years, Ajax seemed to have overcome their Utrecht struggles, winning four of the last five visits. But last season, it went wrong again: a 4-3 defeat that marked the end of coach Maurice Steijn’s tenure. Earlier this season, Utrecht also held Ajax to a 2-2 draw in Amsterdam, and now have the chance to go unbeaten in both league meetings in a single season for the first time since 2017/18.
If Ajax have something to fear in the Galgenwaard, it’s Utrecht’s threat from range. Ron Jans’ side have already scored 12 goals from outside the box this Eredivisie season — the most in the league, alongside PSV and Go Ahead Eagles. It’s also their best long-range tally since 1999/00. A powerful weapon for Utrecht, especially against a side that has shown vulnerability to shots from distance.
The table below shows which clubs have scored the most goals from outside the penalty area this season.
| Team | Goals from outside the box |
|---|---|
|
FC Utrecht |
12 |
|
PSV |
12 |
|
Go Ahead Eagles |
12 |
|
FC Twente |
9 |
|
Feyenoord |
7 |
Cathline climbing into club legend territory
With three goals from distance, Yoann Cathline has emerged as one of the Eredivisie’s standout long-range threats this season. Only Malik Tillman (PSV) and Camiel Neghli (Sparta) have scored more, both with four. The Frenchman currently shares third place with the likes of Sem Steijn (FC Twente) and Enric Llansana (Go Ahead Eagles).
See below for the players with the most goals from outside the box in the Eredivisie this season.
| Player | Team | Goals from outside the box |
|---|---|---|
|
Malik Tillman |
PSV |
4 |
|
Camiel Neghli |
Sparta Rotterdam |
4 |
|
Yoann Cathline |
FC Utrecht |
3 |
|
Sem Steijn |
FC Twente |
3 |
|
Enric Llansana |
Go Ahead Eagles |
3 |
Cathline completed a permanent move from Lorient this week and could make history on Sunday: he would become the first FC Utrecht player this century to score from outside the box in three consecutive Eredivisie matches. So far, only club icons Dries Mertens (4 goals in 2009/10) and Jens Toornstra (7 in 2013/14) have scored more long-range goals in a single league season for Utrecht.
UTRECHT, 22 December 2024 – Stadion Galgenwaard, Eredivisie 2024/2025. FC Utrecht vs Fortuna Sittard. FC Utrecht forward Yoann Cathline celebrates after scoring during the match.
Ajax’s bench delivers again
One weapon Ajax can count on this season? Their impact players. Last Sunday in Tilburg, the team came from 1-0 down to beat Willem II 2-1 — with both goals scored by substitutes Oliver Edvardsen and Wout Weghorst, assisted by fellow subs Steven Berghuis and Kian Fitz-Jim.
It’s another example of Ajax’s incredible bench depth. So far this Eredivisie season, substitutes have scored 21 goals for the club — the most ever by a team in a single Eredivisie campaign, breaking PSV’s record of 20 from 2023/24.
The table below shows the top-scoring substitutes in the league this season — with Ajax players well represented.
| Player | Team | Goals as a substitute |
|---|---|---|
|
Mexx Meerdink |
AZ |
7 |
|
Oliver Edvardsen |
Go Ahead Eagles/Ajax |
6 |
|
Wout Weghorst |
Ajax |
5 |
|
Bertrand Traoré |
Ajax |
4 |
|
Noah Ohio |
FC Utrecht |
4 |
|
Ion Nicolaescu |
sc Heerenveen |
4 |
FC Utrecht vs Ajax is rarely a routine fixture — and this season is no exception.
Utrecht rely on long-range strikes and in-form attackers; Ajax bring a bench full of gamechangers. With fourth place at stake for the hosts and the title in sight for the visitors, a heated clash awaits in a sold-out Galgenwaard.
Watch the match live on your local broadcaster.
On Sunday, we’ll find out which side brings the sharper weapon to the fight.
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