Ace Football previews the Eredivisie match between PSV Eindhoven and Ajax, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
A top-of-the-table showdown awaits in the Eredivisie on Sunday afternoon as old rivals PSV Eindhoven and Ajax lock horns at the Philips Stadion.
Six points lie between the two table-topping sides as the 2020/21 campaign nears its end. Ajax sit on top of the standings on 56 points and with a game in hand over PSV, leaving the visitors in a favorable position for Sunday’s showdown.
This will be the third meeting in 2021 for the two clubs, having already squared off in the Eredivisie in January and the KNVB Cup on February 10. But while Ajax came out the better side with a 2-2 draw and 2-1 victory respectively, PSV have home advantage this time.
PSV Eindhoven Form & Stats
A 2-1 win over Olympiacos on Thursday was not enough to keep PSV in the Europa League. Passage into the last-16 seemed secured following Eran Zahavi’s brace, but an 88th-minute goal from Olympiacos’ Koke sent the Red and Whites crashing out of the competition with a 5-4 aggregate defeat.
It was a brutal blow for Roger Schmidt’s side and leaves them under greater pressure on Sunday. As the Eredivisie title is all they have left to play for, PSV must take home all three points against Ajax. Anything less may leave them with too much of a deficit to overcome for the final third of the campaign, considering the visitors have a game to spare.
Playing on their own turf, however, should help. PSV have the Eredivisie’s best home record, with 10 wins from 11 games (L1), and have beaten Ajax in three of their last four league meetings at the Philips Stadion (D1).
Key Team Stats
- Won 10 of their last 11 home league games (L1).
- Unbeaten in their last 4 home league games against Ajax (W3 D1).
- First-half goal scored in each of their last 8 home games.
- There has been a penalty in 48% of their 23 league games.
- Received the first card in their last five games.
- BTTS in each of their last 5 games in all competitions.
- Donyell Malen has managed 22 goals and 8 assists in 35 appearances across all competitions.
Ajax Form & Stats
Successive 2-1 victories over Lille in France and the Netherlands secured Ajax a 4-2 aggregate win in their Europa League last-32 tie, sealing passage into the next round. But while hopes of a first European title since 1995 remain alive, Sunday’s visit to Eindhoven is a priority.
Erik ten Hag’s men could literally have one hand on the league title ahead of their remaining 11 fixtures by beating PSV. The win would move them nine points clear at the top of the standings, with a game still in hand. Therefore, they could put a greater focus on their KNVB Cup and Europa League campaigns in search of a remarkable treble.
The 34-time Dutch champions have been in brilliant form, having won each of their last 11 games in all competitions. Sebastien Haller, on the other hand, has been superb since his January arrival from West Ham. The striker scored both goals in the recent 2-1 KNVB Cup win over PSV and heads to Eindhoven refreshed due to being ineligible for the club’s European matches.
Key Team Stats
- On an 11-match winning run in all competitions.
- Won their last 6 away games in all competitions.
- Over 2.5 goals in 15 of their last 18 league games.
- Unbeaten in their last 6 games against PSV in all competitions (W4 D2).
- Won both halves in 5 of their 11 away league games this season.
- Sebastien Haller has managed 7 goals and 5 assists in his first 10 appearances.
Team News
PSV Eindhoven
Out: Maximiliano Romero, Cody Gakpo, Richard Ledezma.
Doubts: Mohamed Ihattaren.
Ajax
Out: Andre Onana.
Doubts: Nicolas Tagliafico, Noussair Mazraoui.
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in Eredivisie
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in Eredivisie.
Betting Tips
* DC: 1X – Double Chance on Home Team (PSV)
More Odds
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