Preview of week 24 in the Eredivisie which concludes with a fond farewell at the Amsterdam Arena for Christian Eriksen.

  • By Leo Walker
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eriksen fFriday evening sees the start of round 24 in the Eredivisie when PSV Eindhoven host Heracles Almelo at the Philips Stadion. The 2012 Dutch Cup finalists drew 1-1 in the fixture earlier into the season however in the history of the fixture it is PSV who have dominated proceedings. Heracles have recorded just one victory in 28 matched against the side from Eindhoven with that one victory back in 1964. Since then PSV have recorded 20 successes from 23 games against Heracles and the impressive record should continue as confidence is back in the side following last weeks victory over FC Twente.

It is FC Twente who will start the action on Saturday in a crucial tie with Vitesse, with both sides desperate to remain in the title race. FC Twente suffered a defeat in round 23 whilst also were fortunate in midweek to gain a point away at FC Groningen. Vitesse are on an even poorer run as they are without a win in 4 games and anything less than a win for either side could find them both to far behind Ajax in the race for the title. The last two games between the two sides have seen just two goals scored with Vitesse running out 1-0 winners and a further low scoring game is expected.

From a crucial title fixture to then two crucial relegation battles, firstly Roda JC and rock bottom side, ADO Den Haag face off in a ‘six-pointer”. It’s been a mixed start for Jon Dahl Tomasson as head coach of Roda JC following back to back defeats, however a win on Saturday would see them take a big stride away from the automatic relegation spot. Lying between Roda JC and ADO Den Haag is NEC Nijmegen and they face a difficult tie at the Mandemakers Stadion, home of RKC Waalwijk. The hosts recorded an emphatic victory over FC Utrecht last week and in their home prior to that they defeated PSV. The impressive three game unbeaten run for Erwin Koemans men looks to have ensured their safety for another season whilst NEC have a fight on their hands to remain in the Eredivisie.

Saturdays action concludes with AZ Alkmaar against a low on confidence FC Utrecht side at the AFAS Stadion. The visitors are finding themselves being pulled into the relegation battle following a 7 game winless run that has included 6 defeats. The season has been one big disappointment by FC Utrecht standards, and they need to return to winning ways urgently. Though the tie on Saturday away in Alkmaar will be difficult for them to record their first victory in 2014.

The focus on Sunday is primarily on Feyenoord and league leaders, Ajax. The Champions will conclude the weekends action when Marco van Basten’s returns to the Arena with sc Heerenveen. It could be a key result in the title race, however the visitors are playing with confidence following their impressive, compressive victory over their rivals last week, FC Groningen. The last game between the two was a 3-3 thriller at the Abe Lenstra Stadion and fireworks are expected in the Christian Eriksen farewell game on Sunday.

Prior to Ajax concluding the weekends action for the second week in a row, Feyenoord take to the road and into nearby Breda as they compete against mid table, NAC. The away form of Feyenoord has been their Achilles heel again this season, in round 20 they suffered a shock 3-2 defeat away at ADO Den Haag whilst in the midweek round they were fortunate enough to hold on to defeat Roda JC narrowly 2-1. As we approach the business end of the season any further slips could cost them dearly.

The two remaining games on Sunday include the promoted sides of SC Cambuur and the Go Ahead Eagles. SC Cambuur will start the days action at home to PEC Zwolle and will be conscious of the results from the night before as they lie in 15th one place above the bottom three. Their visitors however come in strong form as they are unbeaten in four games, in a run which has seen them record three victories and hold Ajax to a 1-1 draw. The Go Ahead Eagles travel to a side in poor form, FC Groningen. Although they were unfortunate to not hold onto a 1-0 victory on Wednesday against FC Twente, they are without a win in 2014. Their poor form has seen them drop drastically to the bottom half of the table. A win for the visitors, Go Ahead Eagles could see them leapfrog their opponents.the side from Deventer have been entertaining to watch this season and are on course to over achieve their season objectives.




Leo Walker (36 Posts)