Ace Football previews the Eredivisie match between Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
The Dutch Eredivisie is back with a bang this weekend, as Ajax and PSV Eindhoven lock horns at the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday afternoon.
A point is all that lies between the top two sides in the league standings. Ajax have the edge on 34 points from 14 games. But with PSV on 33 points in second-place, the table-toppers must avoid defeat at all costs.
The hosts won the corresponding fixture 1-0 through a Quincy Promes effort last February. They’ve won each of their last three encounters with PSV in Amsterdam and kept a clean sheet in the previous two matches.
But a new year, a new season, and some very different circumstances have occurred since their last clash. And with both title-chasing sides determined to make a statement on Sunday, another tight encounter can be expected.
Ajax Form & Stats
Erik ten Hag’s men entered the winter break on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw with Willem II. Despite Antony handing them a fourth-minute lead, along with holding 74% possession and making 32 shots, Kwasi Okyere Wriedt’s second-half equalizer ensured a share of the spoils. It was the club’s first stalemate of the campaign.
That draw decreased Ajax’s lead in the Eredivisie standings from three points to a mere point. Avoiding defeat on Sunday is a must now, or else PSV will leapfrog them as the new pacesetters.
Nonetheless, Ajax’s form this season has been impressive. The hosts have won 11 of their 14 league games (D1 L2) to snatch an early lead. A stunning 52 goals have already come their way, which is the league’s best-attacking record by 16 goals from the next-best team AZ Alkmaar, and they’ve won six times in seven home games (L1).
It’s also worth noting De Godenzonen are unbeaten in their last five home matches against PSV in all competitions (W4 D1). The 34-time Eredivisie champions also have the best defensive record, with only 10 goals conceded so far.
Key Team Stats
- Won 3 of their last 5 games in all competitions (D1 L1).
- Won 6 of their 7 home league games (L1).
- Over 2.5 goals scored in their 7 home league games.
- Beaten PSV to nil in 3 of their last 4 home games in all competitions.
- Under 2.5 goals in their last 3 games against PSV in all competitions.
PSV Eindhoven Form & Stats
The 24-time Eredivisie champions have won their last five games in all competitions, including their previous three in the league. Their superb form has taken them to within a mere point of table-toppers Ajax in second-place.
PSV entered the winter break on a high by securing 4-1 league victories over RKC Waalwijk and VVV-Venlo, respectively. They’re on a 11-match unbeaten run (W9 D2) and haven’t lost in the league since a 2-1 loss at Vitesse on October 25.
Roger Schmidt’s side have been faultless on home soil, having won all seven of their games. More importantly, though, their away form hasn’t been so convincing. In fact, PSV have only won three of their seven matches on the road (D3 L1) for the league’s seventh-best record. They’ve also lost their last four trips to Amsterdam.
De Boeren, who haven’t beaten Ajax away since October 2015, need to pull something special out of the bag in this one.
Key Team Stats
- Won their last 5 games in all competitions.
- Won 3 of their 7 away league games (D3 L1).
- Lost their last 4 away games against Ajax in all competitions.
- Scored at least 2 goals in their last 4 league games.
- Over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of their last 10 league games.
- BTTS in 7 of their last 8 away games in all competitions.
Team News
Ajax
Out: Brian Brobbey, Lassina Traore, David Neres.
Doubts: Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Mohamed Kudus, Lisandro Martinez.
PSV Eindhoven
Out: Richard Ledezma, Maximiliano Romero.
Doubts: Mario Gotze, Marco van Ginkel, Erick Gutierrez.
Predicted Line-up
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in the Eredivisie
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the Eredivisie.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More Odds
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