After the International break, Eredivisie action returns with round 14 as Vitesse lead the way on just 24 points from 13 games so far. The dreaded relegation spot is currently occupied by NEC Nijmegen.

  • By Leo Walker
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ziyech aPSV set the Eredivisie alight at the start of the season when scoring goals for fun saw them go top of the league. However a dismal run of results both on the road and at home has seen them drop down to 8th and significant pressure has mounted on club legend, Philip Cocu. To kick start the action this weekend, they welcome 9th place SC Heerenveen, who themselves have suffered a poor run recently. They got back to winning ways in round 13 when Alfred Finnbogason ended his goal drought in emphatic style with a hat trick, which in turn ended Heerenveen’s win drought. With pressure on both managers, and goals expected, there is arguably no better way to get the weekends action underway.

AZ Alkmaar currently lie second behind Vitesse in the table and the return of Dick Advocaat has led them to a seven game unbeaten run which includes five wins in all competitions. They entertain Roda JC at the AFAS Stadion looking to continue there strong run and return to the summit of the table, after their visitors were thrashed 4-1 against Go Ahead Eagles. A key battle will then take place in Leeuwarden at the opposite end of the table when bottom side NEC Nijmegen travel to take on SC Cambuur. In round 13 both sides were beat 3-0 with Cambuur defeated by rivals ADO Den Haag, whilst NEC suffered at the hands of Ajax. NEC are currently on 9pts whilst 3pts ahead are SC Cambuur.

The days action will end with Ajax hosting Heracles at the Amsterdam Arena. Ajax have failed to score at home in their last two Eredivisie fixtures after being held to a 0-0 draw at home to RKC Waalwijk whilst suffering a defeat at the hands of league leaders Vitesse. A victory at home to Celtic in the Champions League seems to have given them the confidence boost they required as they inflicted a 3-0 defeat on NEC. Heracles are unpredictable and having defeated Feyenoord at the De Kuip do have the potential to shock the Arena, however it would depend on which side turns up.

Sundays action starts with a double header as Feyenoord travel to RKC Waalwijk looking to keep alive their title hopes. It is the battle of the brothers as Ronald Koeman sides take on big brother, Erwin’s RKC team. Graziano Pellé remains unavailable through suspension and with their away record far from convincing, it promises to be a difficult tie for the Rotterdammers. ADO Den Haag have finally lifted themselves out of the bottom three in what has been a disappointing season so far and they take on a further under-performing side. Jan Wouters, FC Utrecht team excelled last season to finish 5th, however with just four victories to their name they lie in 14th so far.

The league leaders Vitesse face a tough tie away in Deventer, the home of the Go Ahead Eagles. The newly promoted side have certainly fared better than expected by most, with four victories and four draws to their name so far. There last home tie was abandoned midway into the 1st half against Heracles however with the recovery of the pitch they will be looking to impress yet again following their 4-1 demolition of Roda in round 13. FC Groningen are thriving this season under new manager Erwin van der Looi as they lie in 4th with the Euroborg Stadion a fortress for them as they are yet to lose. They welcome PEC Zwolle in round 14 with the visitors remaining in touching distance of the top, though for both sides winning the league at the end of this season remains some way off.

The game which will conclude the weekends action is FC Twente at home to NAC Breda. FC Twente, former league leaders, are without a win in four games, including being held at home to NEC Nijmegen to a 2-2 draw despite leading 2-0. This run has seen them lose their status as league leaders as they now lie three points off the summit. Their visitors claimed the scalp of PSV in the previous round and have also defeated AZ Alkmaar earlier on in the season, they now have FC Twente, whose home form is questionable, in their sights.




Leo Walker (36 Posts)