Oscar Garcia wants to win "the Ajax way" against Feyenoord as the two Eredivisie rivals go head-to-head at Stadion Feijenoord on Sunday.
Ajax are currently five points behind second-place Feyenoord in fourth with seven league games to go in 2025-26.
A defeat for Ajax would be a huge blow for their Champions League hopes, with the top two sides in Eredivisie automatically qualifying for the league phase, while the third-placed team must go through the qualifiers.
Ajax returned to winning ways last time out with a 4-0 victory over Sparta Rotterdam, while they had won just one of their previous six league games (D4 L1).
Garcia anticipates a tough test at Feyenoord, but has encouraged his Ajax side to show their true quality.
"We have to be brave, because that is the club's philosophy," said the Ajax boss.
"I want to win, and that's what we'll try to do. But we also have an opponent who wants exactly the same.
"I know the atmosphere will be against us, but we must handle that at the highest level.
"You can see how important the fans are to the club and the players. They were enthusiastic.
"I want to win, and that can be done in different ways, but it has to be the Ajax way."
De Klassieker is edging closer... pic.twitter.com/ECCvcBMLh6
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) March 20, 2026
Feyenoord also ended a brief winless run with a 2-1 victory over Excelsior last time out.
Raheem Sterling got an assist in the victory, his first direct goal contribution since joining Feyenoord as a free agent.
"He's getting fresher in his actions. You saw that on Sunday with his assist and dribbles," said Feyenoord boss Robin van Persie on Sterling.
"He continues that line. He talks more and more to players on the training field about his period in England.
"You see him growing in that. It's important that he takes that role."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Feyenoord – Luciano Valente
Among all players with at least 360 minutes this calendar year in the Eredivisie, only Joris van Overeem averages more ball recoveries per 90 minutes (9.3) than Ajax's Jorthy Mokio (8.2), while Feyenoord's Luciano Valente ranks fourth (7.6).
Ajax – Mika Godts
Mika Godts (14 goals, nine assists) could become the first Ajax player to reach double figures for both goals and assists in an Eredivisie season since Dusan Tadic in 2022-23 (11 goals, 18 assists), and the first Belgian to do so since PSV's Dries Mertens in 2012-13 (16 goals, 17 assists).
MATCH PREDICTION – FEYENOORD WIN
This will be the 201st Klassieker in all competitions; Ajax have won 95 of the previous 200 meetings, with 46 draws and 59 wins for Feyenoord.
Feyenoord have won their last three home Eredivisie matches by a one-goal margin and could win four consecutive home league games by the smallest margin for the fourth time ever (previously four in 1972-1973, 1974 and 2006).
Ajax could win both Eredivisie matches against Feyenoord in consecutive seasons for the fourth time in club history, after 1987-88/1988-89, 1994-95/1995-96 and 2020-21/2021-22.
No team has faced fewer shots than Ajax since the winter break in the Eredivisie (102), while only Utrecht (10.05) have conceded fewer expected goals than Ajax in 2026 (10.12); Feyenoord rank joint-fourth in both metrics (111 shots faced, 11.98 xG against).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Feyenoord – 45.2%
Draw – 24.1%
Ajax – 30.7%