There are only six games to go in the Eredivisie and after Ajax beat PSV they are now the favourites to win the league. Although, has the winner of the Eredivisie crown already been decided given the crucial result in Eindhoven?
- By Michael Statham
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For a long time over the winter, PSV were tipped by many to retain the title. Beating Groningen comfortably at the beginning of March saw them claim their eleventh successive league victory.
Meanwhile Ajax toiled somewhat. Insipid performances against Utrecht, Heracles and Roda during PSV’s formidable run saw Frank De Boer’s charges drop points and surrender their early lead.
The current champions also proved their superior strength by reaching the latter stages of the Champions League. Whilst Ajax were disappointingly eliminated from Europe in the group stage of the Europa League.
However the tables have now turned as we head towards the end of the season. PSV look jaded and short of the attacking quality they displayed so often earlier in the campaign. Ajax on the other hand look rejuvenated and similar to seasons gone by where they have become pragmatically untouchable in their domestic form.
With players such as Arek Milik, Riechedly Bazoer and captain Davy Klaassen stepping up their level of performances, Ajax are beginning to forget their issues in defence. That said, the likes of Mike van der Hoorn and Joël Veltman were excellent against PSV.
Below are the remaining fixtures for both of the title candidates:
Ajax: PEC Zwolle (H), Cambuur (A), Utrecht (H), Heerenveen (A), Twente (H), De Graafschap (A).
PSV: AZ (A), Willem II (H), Roda (A), Vitesse (H), Cambuur (H), PEC Zwolle (A)
Current leaders Ajax have a two point advantage over PSV as we stand. Their slender lead will be tested though with home games against three in-form sides, two of which have already taken points from the Amsterdammers in this campaign. Away games to Cambuur and De Graafschap could be more difficult than they look given their relegation predicament.
Phillip Cocu’s men face very tough trips to AZ and PEC, but their home games do look more comfortable on paper than Ajax’s.
PSV will simply have to win all their games and hope their rivals slip up somewhere along the way, which looks unlikely seeing as history is on Ajax’s side. 24 of the last 26 times Ajax have lead the standings after 28 games, they have gone on to secure the title.
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Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.
