Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
The marquee matchup in round 20 of the 2023/24 Eredivisie season features fierce rivals Ajax and PSV Eindhoven facing off in the upcoming installment of De Topper at the Johan Cruyff ArenA on Saturday.
Ajax enter the contest with an impressive run of four consecutive victories, showcasing their strong form leading up to the highly anticipated clash after an abysmal start to the season. On the other side, PSV have experienced just one defeat in their last 13 matches, setting the stage for a compelling showdown this weekend.
Ajax
Ajax continued their recent run of good form with a thrilling 4-2 victory against Heracles Almelo at the Erve Asito on Saturday evening. Despite falling behind to Jizz Hornkamp’s opener, John van ‘t Schip’s team swiftly turned the game around. Brian Brobbey netted two goals, with Steven Berghuis adding another, and Kristian Hlynsson sealed the victory, making Mario Engels’s effort inconsequential.
With 34 points from 19 league matches this season, Ajax currently occupy the fourth position in the standings, just one point behind AZ Alkmaar in the race for the final guaranteed European spot.
Ajax have been particularly formidable on their home turf, scoring 16 goals in their last five matches. With this impressive attacking record, they aim to continue their fine form and deliver another exciting performance in front of their home fans against one of their fiercest rivals.
Team News
Ajax still face defensive setbacks with Gaston Avila and Josip Sutalo remaining sidelined due to knee injuries. Sivert Mannsverk is also unavailable due to a leg problem.
Additionally, Mika Godts and Chuba Akpom are expected to miss the upcoming match, although the latter is nearing a return to action.
Despite these absences, the spotlight is on 22-year-old Brobbey, who has been in excellent form, finding the back of the net in each of his last six appearances. His goal-scoring prowess makes him a player to watch in the upcoming match.
PSV Eindhoven
PSV Eindhoven returned to winning ways by securing a routine 2-0 victory over Almere City at the Philips Stadion on Saturday. Luuk de Jong played a pivotal role in the triumph, scoring both goals, with the first coming on the stroke of half-time and the second from the penalty spot just past the hour mark.
Under the management of Peter Bosz, PSV have now extended their lead at the top of the Eredivisie table to a substantial 12 points over second-placed Feyenoord.
Their upcoming challenge involves facing an opponent that has suffered defeat in each of the last six editions of this fixture across all competitions. Despite a recent end to their nine-game unbeaten away run, Saturday’s visitors aim to avoid consecutive losses on the road for the first time in almost two years.
Team News
PSV will be missing Joey Veerman and Armel Bella-Kotchap due to ongoing muscle and shoulder injuries, respectively.
On a positive note for PSV Eindhoven, De Jong, who scored a brace against Almere City in the previous match, continues to be in excellent form. With his recent contributions, De Jong has been directly involved in 24 goals, making him the most influential player in terms of goal involvement in the Eredivisie this season.
Conclusion
Considering the abundance of attacking talent from both teams, it’s likely that neither side will be able to keep a clean sheet. However, the expectation is that PSV will manage to secure a narrow victory, claiming all three points in Amsterdam in the end.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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