Ajax won their third league match in a row after the winter break on Saturday. John van 't Schip's side defeated Heracles Almelo 2-4. With the victory, Ajax increased the pressure on FC Twente and AZ, who are third and fourth in the league table. Third place would qualify them to participate in the preliminary rounds of the Champions League next season. FC Twente, who visit Feyenoord on Sunday, has 3 points more. AZ is now closest to Ajax in points but still has the match against SC Heerenveen (also on Sunday) to play.