The Eredivisie makes its anticipated return after the International break when round six gets underway on Saturday with the Champions, Ajax, hosting current league leaders, PEC Zwolle.
- By Leo Walker
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The league leaders PEC Zwolle, are one of only two clubs who remain undefeated this season, however they head to the Capital knowing that they have only recorded one draw from their previous thirteen league visits to Ajax. The Champions are in the process of rebuilding after the exits of Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld however they will be confident in continuing their strong home form and ending the visitors unbeaten record and close the gap.
PSV are the second club who remain undefeated and they also face a difficult tie away from home as they take on FC Twente to conclude Saturday’s action. The fixture is arguably the tie of the round and with Karim Rekik out for four weeks; PSV’s defence is limited further so a high number of goals are expected, which historically these two sides provide. PSV currently lie two points off the leaders, after a bright start which saw them record three victories, however they have since been held to two draws. FC Twente currently lie just further behind in third and can go level on points with PSV if they record a victory over Philip Cocu’s side.
The two sides who have held PSV to a draw this season face off on Saturday. SC Cambuur walked away from the Philips Stadion with a point and a clean sheet in round five, whilst a late equaliser for PSV rescued a point away at Heracles in a 1-1 draw. Heracles are now without Lerin Duarte who transferred to Ajax and they travel away to SC Cambuur in what promises to be a tight game. Heracles have played SC Cambuur just five times in Leeuwarden and have yet to be beaten by the residents. The remaining fixture on Saturday sees ADO Den Haag, who currently reside in the bottom three, welcome Vitesse Arnhem to the Kyocera Stadion. The fans of ADO have had very little to shout about so far with just one victory over relegation rivals, NAC Breda, with their remaining fixtures all being defeats including a 4-0 humiliating defeat at home to Roda JC. Vitesse have had a mixed start and will be looking to keep in touch at the top of the table with a further home defeat for ADO Den Haag.
The International break came at the wrong time for Feyenoord following two back to back victories, albeit against weaker opposition, but confidence was back in the side after a disappointing start. Ronald Koeman will be hoping that they can pick up where they left off as they travel to NEC Nijmegen. The hosts are yet to win this season and remain at the bottom, however following two successive draws, and a new manager, they will be looking to end their win drought sooner rather than later. A victory for NEC will depend on which Feyenoord turns up. Ahead of NEC in the table on goal difference are NAC Breda, who also have just two draws to their name. They travel to Roda JC, who after inflicting a 4-0 defeat on ADO Den Haag in round four, were then themselves on the receiving end of a 4-0 loss away at Feyenoord.
The Go Ahead Eagles are arguably the team of the season so far; in their first return to Eredivisie since the 1995/96 season they currently lie in seventh on 8 points. They have been playing without fear and in round six they travel to the home of AZ Alkmaar. The Dutch Cup champions have had a mixed start to this season and are positioned below their visitors in 11th place on 7 points. The first “Derby of the North” takes place on Sunday when SC Heerenveen welcomes FC Groningen. Alfred Finnbogason will return for Marco van Basten’s side and they will be looking to continue their strong run against their rivals, after 19 previous Eredivisie fixtures between these two at the Abe Lenstra Stadion, the hosts have triumphed on 14 occasions.
The tie which will see out the round is FC Utrecht at home to RKC Waalwijk. Both sides are currently on 5 points and lie just ahead of the relegation zone. RKC Waalwijk have only ever recorded two victories in Utrecht, with their last win in 1993 and last point obtained back 1999. FC Utrecht have historically dominated this fixture, and after a poor start to this season Jan Wouters side will be looking to continue their rise up the Eredivisie table.
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