Ajax vs PSV Eindhoven preview

January 18, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Ajax vs PSVReigning champions Ajax will be looking to return to the Eredivisie summit when they host arch rivals PSV Eindhoven, a team that desperately need a win at Amsterdam ArenA if they are to revive their title bid.

Having once again seen quite a few important players leave in the summer, the Amsterdammers unsurprisingly had a slot start to the season, with their Champions League campaign also preventing the team from giving their best on domestic stage.

The 4-0 away defeat to PSV Eindhoven was undoubtedly the lowest point of the season, but it appears the loss served as a wake up call for Frank de Boer’s men.

They have since seriously improved their Eredivisie form and managed to climb to the top of the standings despite losing to title rivals Vitesse.

And with Ajax currently on a six-match winning run in the league, they are 1.67 (2/3) to get revenge on PSV for the aforementioned defeat.

It remains to be seen how the winter break is going to affect the Amsterdammers, but they clearly have plenty of reason for optimism.

Mike van der Hoorn and Siem de Jong have both recovered from injury, meaning Frank de Boer can field his strongest side.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Cillessen – van Rhijn, Veltman, Moisander, Blind – Klaassen, Schone, Serero – de Jong, Sigthorsson, Fischer.

Loyal club servant Philip Cocu hasn’t quite managed to get the maximum out of his side, which is exactly why PSV sit huge 11 points behind their fierce rivals.

The boss is obviously not the only one to blame as the club clearly failed to sign proper replacements for the likes of Strootman, Mertens, Lens and Pieters, but this team clearly have plenty of potential.

PSV recovered well from the shock exit from Europa League, having hammered Utrecht 5-1 on the road before climbing to seventh with a comfortable home win over ADO Den Haag.

However, with the 6-2 home defeat to title contenders Vitesse still fresh in the mind, they will be under a lot of pressure at Amsterdam ArenA.

It is perfectly clear PSV Eindhoven will be out of the title chase if they do not win in Amsterdam, so bear in mind away win pays 5.50 (9/2).

Philip Cocu has serious selection problems at the moment, with Ola Toivonen, Georginio Wijnaldum, Tim Matavz and Abel Tamata all out injured. New signing Bryan Ruiz though could play some part.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Zoet – Arias, Bruma, Rekik, Willems – Maher, Schaars, Hendrix – Narsingh, Locadia, Depay.

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