Ajax vs PSV
2nd February 1500hrs
Football – Netherlands – Eredivisie
Pick Ajax -1
Bookmaker Betfair
Odds: 4/7 odds taken 1200 GMT, Friday 31 January
Ajax suffered a rare defeat last weekend and are looking to bounce back against PSV who have struggled throughout the campaign.
Table of Contents
Ajax Preview – Will leaders and champions bounce back to stay in front in title race?
For all the plaudits and platitudes that have come Ajax’s way over the last couple of seasons they never seem to be able to distance themselves from the chasing pack domestically. Last year PSV went toe to toe with them before the Amsterdam club eventually prevailed. This year, although their weekend opponents have fallen away dramatically, Ajax are being chased down by AZ.
Erik ten Hag’s men are still big favourites to win another Eredivisie title but their lead is just three points coming into the weekend. That’s due to losing away to Groningen last weekend whilst AZ defeated Heerenveen.
That was their second straight away defeat and their third in the last five games. That will be something of a concern for ten Hag but the losses have come against teams in great form and two on their travels.
Willem II remain the only team to have to have taken points from Amsterdam at home this season. That was a surprise defeat considering the strength of their home form and is the only time they have failed to score.
PSV Preview – Can PSV derail hosts’ title charge despite their own struggles?
From running one of the best Ajax teams in recent memory so close last season to being an also-ran in terms of the title this space in a matter months meant it was inevitable Mark van Bommel would lose his job. The former Dutch international captain was sacked last month and Ernest Faber given the job on an interim basis.
It’s been a challenging start for Faber as PSV continue to falter. An 11 point gap between themselves and Ajax mean any sort of title chance is out the question, realistically.
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The objective for PSV is to try and stay as close to AZ. Second place brings with it a chance to qualify for the Champions League but making up eight points will not be easy – especially in their current form.
PSV have won just half their games so far which is failure for a club their size. Their away form has been particularly poor and they travel to face a dominant home team having failed to win any of their last six road games. Their last away win came back in September and it hardly inspires confidence in them getting a result going into the weekend’s game.
Ajax vs PSV Betting Advice
This is always a significant match for both teams but this meeting particularly so. Ajax are coming into it having lost three of their last five matches and seeing their lead cut to just three points.
PSV do not have title ambitions but they are needing a win desperately to turn their season around and there would be no bigger stage to get it on then at the home of their biggest rivals and current champions.
Key Facts – Ajax vs Ajax Betting Tip
- Ajax lost for just the third time last season and are now three points clear at the top
- PSV have failed to win any of their last six away games in the league
- The teams drew 1-1 when meeting in Eindhoven earlier in the season
PSV’s last two visits here have been heavy defeats and it is difficult to see this not going a similar way. Ajax, for all that they have struggled of late, are still very powerful at home. They have racked up 36 goals in their 10 home league matches and are facing a limp PSV team in something of disarray.
Ajax have won eight of their 10 home matches by at least two goals making Ajax -1 the betting selection for Sunday’s game.
The best betting odds for Ajax vs PSV
Ajax to win: 4/11 at Bet365
Draw: 17/4 at Bet365
PSV to win: 13/2 at Bet365
