Having successfully overcome Vitesse and AZ Alkmaar, Ajax aim to try and extend the winning run against bitter rivals PSV Eindhoven and gain an early advantage in the Eredivisie title chase. Meanwhile, their opponents have won all five fixtures this season, which is enough to suggest we should see a cracking game of football at Amsterdam ArenA.

Four in a row and counting

It was only in 2011 that Ajax finally ended a seven-year wait for the league title, but the club have since done brilliantly to defend the trophy in each of the next three seasons. The objective is the same this season despite the departure of mercurial midfielder Siem de Jong, while the Amsterdammers will also attempt to go as far as possible in the Champions League. While new players have shone at the start of the league campaign, with forward Anwar El Ghazi especially impressive, experienced midfielder Lasse Schone has proved to be the match winner in triumphs over Vitesse and AZ Alkmaar. Ajax have failed in their pursuit of Samuel Eto’o and they do seem to lack the quality centre forward as neither Kolbeinn Sigthorsson not Arkadiusz Milik seem capable of scoring goals on regular basis. But, with some important players back to the side, Frank de Boer’s charges remain regarded as favourites to defeat PSV Eindhoven, although they could find it hard to continue the impressive run of results on Sunday afternoon.

Joel Veltman and Ricardo van Rhijn will be recalled to the starting line-up, while Kolbeinn Sigthorsson will again be preferred to Arkadiusz Milik.

Promising start

PSV Eindhoven have endured some tough times of late and problems appear set to continue as the club do not seem to be in a position to attract the top Eredivisie players any more. They go into the new season with a virtually unchanged squad, with Tim Matavz the only notable player to have left, and Luuk de Jong signed as his replacement. The good news is PSV have managed to keep hold of Memphis Depay, Jurgen Locadia and Georginio Wijnaldum, who are expected to play a key role this season. While easing off to league wins over Willem II and NAC Breda, scoring 10 goals in total, PSV recorded a double win over St Polten in Europa League third qualifying round before winning the first play-off leg against Shakhtar Soligorsk. They will now be facing Ajax mere three days later, but given that this is still early into the season, the players should not feel any ill-effects of the busy schedule. PSV have failed to win any of their last six league matches at Amsterdam Arena (D1 L5), but they seem to be in a good position to try and end the barren run.

Boss Philip Cocu has no fresh injury worries, but Santiago Arias and Stijn Schaars are not yet ready to return from injury.

Verdict

This game could be very close to call, but with both sides scoring goals for fun in the opening exchanges, a high-scoring encounter should be on the cards. Teams’ centre forwards are not exactly on top of their game at the moment, but the wingers and attacking midfielders cannot seem to stop scoring.

Top pick: Both teams to score   1.55 (5/9) @ Unibet

Alternative pick 1: Over 2.5 goals   1.60 (5/8) @ Titan Bet

Alternative pick 2: Draw   3.80 (14/5) @ SkyBet