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Eredivisie Preview: Ajax - PSV
Ajax desperately need the full three points to keep their title dreams alive, while PSV can't afford to slip up either...
| Bet: | Returns: | Trabzonspor £28.00 | Draw £32.00 | PSV £23.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Trabzonspor £27.00 | Draw £33.00 | PSV £26.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Trabzonspor £28.00 | Draw £33.00 | PSV £25.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Trabzonspor £27.50 | Draw £32.00 | PSV £26.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Trabzonspor £25.50 | Draw £32.00 | PSV £25.00 |
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Mar 12, 2010 1:00:00 PM
By Stefan Coerts
Unbeaten Home Status
Ajax were considered by many football followers as one of the favourites to win the Eredivisie title this term, but the Amsterdam side have so far failed to live up to the expectations and sit 'only' third in the table with eight more matches to be played.
However, the Godenzonen have recovered from a disappointing start in the past couple of weeks and their recent form has been rather impressive. Teams such as Sparta, Utrecht and Vitesse were all beaten with ease and Ajax have narrowed the gap behind table toppers Twente to six points, while runners-up PSV have collected four points more than Ajax.
Ajax boast an impressive home record this Eredivisie campaign and have yet to be beaten in the Amsterdam ArenA. They have won 12 of their 13 home games this season and have a goal difference of 46-3. Sparta are the only team to leave Amsterdam with a point so far.
Dip Of Form
PSV had no trouble living up to the high expectations after the arrival of head coach Fred Rutten at the beginning of the season and managed to hold onto their unbeaten status for 25 matches.
The Eindhoven giants spilled two points against Sparta though earlier this month and were then somewhat surprisingly beaten 2-1 by regional rivals NAC last week. PSV immediately dropped to second spot in the table and trail table toppers Twente by two points at the moment.
One of PSV's greatest strengths this term was the depth of their squad, but the transfer of Danko Lazovic to Zenit St. Petersburg and a number of injuries have limited Rutten's choices in the past couple of weeks.
FORM GUIDE
Ajax
March 7, 2010 Sparta 0-3 Ajax (Eredivisie)
February 28, 2010 Ajax 4-0 Utrecht (Eredivisie)
February 25, 2010 Juventus 0-0 Ajax (Europa League)
February 21, 2010 Ajax 4-0 Vitesse (Eredivisie)
February 18, 2010 Ajax 1-2 Juventus (Europa League)
PSV
March 6, 2010 NAC 2-1 PSV (Eredivisie)
February 28, 2010 PSV 5-1 RKC (Eredivisie)
February 25, 2010 PSV 3-2 Hamburger SV (Europa League)
February 21, 2010 PSV 1-1 Sparta (Eredivisie)
February 18, 2010 Hamburger SV 1-0 PSV (Europa League)
TEAM NEWS
Ajax
Head coach Martin Jol doesn't have too many injury worries ahead of the game against PSV. Cameroonian defender Thimothee Atouba and Swedish midfielder Rasmus Lindgren are both being plagued by knee injuries and will miss Sunday's match.
However, star player Luis Suarez returns to the match squad after being forced to watch last week's game against Sparta from the stands due to suspension.
Possible line-up: Stekelenburg; Van der Wiel, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Emmanuelson; De Zeeuw, Enoh, De Jong; Suarez, Pantelic, Eriksen
PSV
PSV gaffer Fred Rutten has some serious puzzling to do ahead of the important clash against Ajax. Defenders Carlos Salcido, Erik Pieters and Stanislav Manolev are all doubtful due to various injuries, while striker Danny Koevermans isn't fully match fit either.
Possible line-up: Isaksson, Ooijer, Salcido, Rodriguez, Vukovic; Afellay, Engelaar, Bakkal; Amrabat, Toivonen, Dzsudzsak
MAN TO WATCH
Ajax - Luis Suarez
Suarez has been the star player for Ajax this season. The Uruguayan international has so far scored 26 Eredivisie goals and 14 fourteen more. His trickery and energy will definitely cause the PSV defenders some problems and Suarez is likely to be the key player this Sunday.
PSV - Ibrahim Afellay
Afellay hasn't been as productive as last season when it comes to scoring goals and providing assists. However, the versatile midfielder has revelled in his new role as holding midfielder and has been absolutely instrumental for PSV this term. Every attack starts at the feet of the Dutch international and Afellay will be determined to shine in a big match.
PREDICTION
Ajax have been the team in form in the past couple of weeks and will without a doubt start the match as favourites. Nevertheless, PSV are not to be underestimated and have the weapons to trouble the Ajax defence. I expect a game between two teams with attacking intentions and plenty of goals. PSV are vulnerable at the back at the moment due to injury and this could prove to be decisive.
Ajax 3-2 PSV
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Ajax were considered by many football followers as one of the favourites to win the Eredivisie title this term, but the Amsterdam side have so far failed to live up to the expectations and sit 'only' third in the table with eight more matches to be played.
However, the Godenzonen have recovered from a disappointing start in the past couple of weeks and their recent form has been rather impressive. Teams such as Sparta, Utrecht and Vitesse were all beaten with ease and Ajax have narrowed the gap behind table toppers Twente to six points, while runners-up PSV have collected four points more than Ajax.
Ajax boast an impressive home record this Eredivisie campaign and have yet to be beaten in the Amsterdam ArenA. They have won 12 of their 13 home games this season and have a goal difference of 46-3. Sparta are the only team to leave Amsterdam with a point so far.
Dip Of Form
PSV had no trouble living up to the high expectations after the arrival of head coach Fred Rutten at the beginning of the season and managed to hold onto their unbeaten status for 25 matches.
The Eindhoven giants spilled two points against Sparta though earlier this month and were then somewhat surprisingly beaten 2-1 by regional rivals NAC last week. PSV immediately dropped to second spot in the table and trail table toppers Twente by two points at the moment.
One of PSV's greatest strengths this term was the depth of their squad, but the transfer of Danko Lazovic to Zenit St. Petersburg and a number of injuries have limited Rutten's choices in the past couple of weeks.
FORM GUIDE
Ajax
March 7, 2010 Sparta 0-3 Ajax (Eredivisie)
February 28, 2010 Ajax 4-0 Utrecht (Eredivisie)
February 25, 2010 Juventus 0-0 Ajax (Europa League)
February 21, 2010 Ajax 4-0 Vitesse (Eredivisie)
February 18, 2010 Ajax 1-2 Juventus (Europa League)
PSV 4-3 Ajax | Luis Suarez netted a brace in Eindhoven
PSV
March 6, 2010 NAC 2-1 PSV (Eredivisie)
February 28, 2010 PSV 5-1 RKC (Eredivisie)
February 25, 2010 PSV 3-2 Hamburger SV (Europa League)
February 21, 2010 PSV 1-1 Sparta (Eredivisie)
February 18, 2010 Hamburger SV 1-0 PSV (Europa League)
TEAM NEWS
Ajax
Head coach Martin Jol doesn't have too many injury worries ahead of the game against PSV. Cameroonian defender Thimothee Atouba and Swedish midfielder Rasmus Lindgren are both being plagued by knee injuries and will miss Sunday's match.
However, star player Luis Suarez returns to the match squad after being forced to watch last week's game against Sparta from the stands due to suspension.
Possible line-up: Stekelenburg; Van der Wiel, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Emmanuelson; De Zeeuw, Enoh, De Jong; Suarez, Pantelic, Eriksen
PSV
PSV gaffer Fred Rutten has some serious puzzling to do ahead of the important clash against Ajax. Defenders Carlos Salcido, Erik Pieters and Stanislav Manolev are all doubtful due to various injuries, while striker Danny Koevermans isn't fully match fit either.
Possible line-up: Isaksson, Ooijer, Salcido, Rodriguez, Vukovic; Afellay, Engelaar, Bakkal; Amrabat, Toivonen, Dzsudzsak
MAN TO WATCH
Ajax - Luis Suarez
Suarez has been the star player for Ajax this season. The Uruguayan international has so far scored 26 Eredivisie goals and 14 fourteen more. His trickery and energy will definitely cause the PSV defenders some problems and Suarez is likely to be the key player this Sunday.
PSV - Ibrahim Afellay
Afellay hasn't been as productive as last season when it comes to scoring goals and providing assists. However, the versatile midfielder has revelled in his new role as holding midfielder and has been absolutely instrumental for PSV this term. Every attack starts at the feet of the Dutch international and Afellay will be determined to shine in a big match.
PREDICTION
Ajax have been the team in form in the past couple of weeks and will without a doubt start the match as favourites. Nevertheless, PSV are not to be underestimated and have the weapons to trouble the Ajax defence. I expect a game between two teams with attacking intentions and plenty of goals. PSV are vulnerable at the back at the moment due to injury and this could prove to be decisive.
Ajax 3-2 PSV
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