Eredivise: Ajax vs. PSV Preview, Odds, Prediction

De Topper or Ajax vs. PSV derby is one of the biggest in Europe and arguably the greatest in the Netherlands. This is a meeting between the two former European champions and this year’s top contenders for winning the Eredivise title. For the moment, Ajax is topping the standings with one point more than the upcoming rivals, but with a game in hand. Things are exciting in Eredivise this year, with five teams chasing the title, and being pretty close to one another after 12 rounds. 

Preview

Ajax (-125) won three of the previous four games, losing only to Liverpool at home, in a game after which they lost all the chances for the UCL knockout stage. Though, the Lancers showed mentality by beating the Rangers in the last meeting of the group stage in Glasgow, 1-3. 

Their games are efficient, and only one in the last 10 didn’t end with three or more goals, and the same number of events saw just one side netting. All in all, Ajax still uses the ultra-offensive style of play, which was their trademark through the years. 

Also, we want to say that six games of the previous 10 saw over 3.5 goals and both teams netting. Now what is interesting is that Ajax has only two wins at Amsterdam Arena in over the latest five events.

PSV (+333) won seven and lost three encounters in the previous 10, and we need to say that overall, the team from Eindhoven plays good football. Right now, they are riding a three-game winning streak, during which Van Nistelrooy’s crew beat Arsenal, NEC, and Bodo with a combined goal difference of 7-1.

Like Ajax, this crew has an offensive-minded mentality, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who was one of the best strikers of his era, demands high-intensity pressure and attacks all the time. 

When looking at PSV’s contests away from home, PSV has five wins, four losses and a draw. Eight of those games were with over 2.5 goals, and seven with both teams netting.

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Ihattaren, Setford, and Axel Dongen are out for the hosts, yet they don’t have such high importance for the Lancers.

On the other side, Boscagli, Salibari, and Sangare are out for sure, and Peersman and van Ginkel could be out as well. 

Head to Head

The start of the year saw these two units meeting in the Super Cup, at the Amsterdam Arena, and PSV smashed the big rivals 3-5, taking the trophy and drawing the first blood. The guests were more than confident in this one. 

Seven of the previous eight games between these two teams have ended with over 2.5 scores. 

Prediction

The offensive orientation of these two units is the main reason why we go with over 2.5 goals and both teams netting. The odds on that are currently sitting at -166, and that’s a good value from our perspective. PSV needs a win here to erase the deficit over Ajax, while the hosts can’t afford to lose at home, especially against this particular rival who already crushed them at Amsterdam Arena earlier this year.

Pick: Over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring -166