Amsterdam, Netherlands (My Sportsbook) - The last time Ajax took the field in Eredivisie play they were soundly beaten, 5-2 by Heerenveen, leaving them with just seven points from five games.

Manager Marco van Basten has taken plenty of heat for his team's poor start to the campaign, but a win on Saturday against league-leaders Groningen would help Ajax move back towards the top of the table and set their season right.

However, Van Basten will be without Maarten Stekelenburg (shoulder), Jan-Arie van der Heijden (knee), Mitchell Donald (knee), Ismail Aissati (knee), Miralem Sulejmani (right), Dennis Gentenaar (back) and Eyong Enoh (groin), while Gregory van der Wiel is suspended.

The Amsterdam side will meet English club Aston Villa in the UEFA Cup on Thursday, but they will first hope to continue a trend in recent seasons against the visitors on Saturday.

Groningen boss Ron Jans has not won at the Amsterdam Arena in his six years in charge at the club, but his team could give him a chance to change all of that if it continues its stellar form in recent weeks.

The team has outscored its opponents 13-2 to start the year, but Feyenoord represents the toughest test, and Ajax will feel that they represent a step up in class.

PSV Eindhoven is just one point out of first place, but they square off with fellow 12-point squad NAC at Rat Verlegh Stadion, Heracles is one of two unbeaten teams left in the Dutch league and they meet Twente while the other match on Saturday takes place at Parkstad Limburg Stadion between Roda and Heerenveen.

Sunday's slate of games includes Vitesse traveling NEC, Willem II hosts Feyenoord, AZ Alkmaar visits De Graafschap and Utrecht takes to the road to meet Sparta.