Arch-rivals PSV Eindhoven and Ajax will face off in a tie that could spell the end of the loser’s title aspirations.
PSV Eindhoven and Ajax will face off against each other at the Philips Stadion on Sunday in what should be an electric matchup between Dutch football’s two most successful sides.
Both teams have been upstaged by Feyenoord in recent months and are six points off Arne Slot’s side in the race for the Eredivisie title. With a handful of games to go in the league this season, a loss on Sunday could more or less end one team’s title prospects.
Having won ten of the last 11 league titles among themselves PSV vs Ajax is a titanic encounter in Dutch football. The game on Sunday should also act as a dress rehearsal for next weekend’s KNVB Beker final.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side have turned the Philips Stadion into a fortress, winning 12 of their 14 home games in the league this season. Ajax look far from their dominant best following the exit of Erik ten hag in the summer and could have their backs up against the wall on the night.
PSV hold the upper hand over their rivals in recent clashes, winning the last three encounters between the two teams. The Rood-witten defeated Ajax 2-1 in the league before dismantling them 5-3 in the Johan Cruijff Schaal, both at the Ajax Arena.
Johnny Heitinga’s side are unbeaten in their last ten away games and should fancy their chances despite the challenge on offer. In fact, one could argue that the winner will be more or less assured of at least finishing second this season.
The game also offers both teams the chance to try out new tactics or experiment with them ahead of the KNVB showdown. The game is likely to be well-contested and should have goals in it. The Hard Tackle looks at how both teams could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
PSV Eindhoven
#PSVAJA preps 🫡 pic.twitter.com/OK2mMnANKm
— PSV (@PSV) April 21, 2023
Ruud van Nistelrooy will be without Phillipp Mwene and Armando Obispo, who are struggling with muscle and knee injuries, respectively. To add to the home side’s troubles, Fode Fofana and Mauro Junior are also facing a fight against time to be considered fit for the clash.
Walter Daniel Benitez should start in goal behind the back four of Jordan Teze, Andre Ramalho Silva, Jarrad Branthwaite and Patrick van Aanholt. While PSV usually go out with a 4-3-3 formation at home, they are likely to revert to a 4-2-3-1 against Ajax at kickoff.
Erick Gutierrez and Joey Veerman should act as the dual pivot in midfield, shielding the back four from Ajax’s offensive push. This should free up Guus Til to push forward and add more bite to the attack. Despite losing Cody Gakpo to Liverpool in January, PSV still retains a core of good attackers who can cause serious damage.
Eredivisie topscorer and birthday boy Xavi Simons will also be tasked with operating offensively alongside Fabio Silva. He should alternate between the central and left sides while pushing forward. Veteran striker Luuk de Jong is enjoying a solid second spell with PSV and will lead the line on the night.
The formation also allows PSV the freedom to revert to a 4-3-3 when needed. Til can drop back to the midfield, pushing Simons out wide. Ruud van Nistelrooy can also bring on Johan Bakayoko to change things around if and when needed.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Benitez; Teze, Ramalho, Branthwaite, van Aanholt, Gutierrez, Veerman; Til, Simons, Silva; Luuk de Jong
Ajax
The defending champions have lost that aura of invincibility and only have a remote chance of retaining the title. A win on the night will at least give them the boost in finishing second while also gaining momentum ahead of next weekend’s cup final.
Ajax won the corresponding fixture 2-1 last season and will be hoping to repeat it this time around. They will, however, have to do so without star striker Mohammed Kudus, who is ruled out with a muscle injury.
Edson Alvarez is suspended for the tie after picking up ten yellow cards in the Eredivisie this season and will be a big miss. Meanwhile, Devyne Rensch and Ahmetcan Kaplan will face a race against time to feature.
Dueling at De Toekomst 🤺#psvaja pic.twitter.com/s9EKBbeKvS
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) April 22, 2023
Heitinga is likely to retain his 4-3-3 formation, with Geronimo Rulli in goal. He will be protected by the backline quartet of Jorge Sanchez, Jurrien Timber, Calvin Bassey and Owen Wijndal.
Florian Grillitsch should start in central midfield alongside Davy Klaassen and Kenneth Taylor. How well the trio can compete against PSV in the middle of the park could set the tone for what is to come.
Both Dusan Tadic and Steven Bergwijn scored last time out against FC Emmen and should retain their places up front. They should be ably supported by Dutch international Brian Brobbey in the attack. Having spent six years at PSV, Bergwijn can surely expect a hostile reception on the night.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Rulli; Sanchez, Timber, Bassey, Wijndal; Klaassen, Grillitsch, Taylor; Brobbey, Tadic, Bergwijn
Key Stats
- PSV Eindhoven have won 12 of their 14 home games in the Eredivisie this season, drawing one another. This is the best home record of any side in the Dutch top flight this season.
- PSV have scored 46 goals at home in the league this season, more than any other Eredivisie side.
- A win on Sunday will see PSV complete the league double over Ajax for the first time since the 2004/05 campaign.
- Ajax are unbeaten in their previous 10 away games in the Eredivisie.
- Ajax and PSV have faced off against each other 160 times across all competitions so far. Ajax have won 65 meetings while PSV have come out on top 64 times.
Player to Watch
Dusan Tadic
The veteran will lead the line in Kudus’s absence and will be tasked with freeing up Steven Bergwijn and Brobbey to inflict damage upfront. Tadic’s ability to move into space and also drop back when needed could see him play between the lines and even serve as a secondary playmaker if needed.
The Serbian attacker is a difficult player to keep quiet and will prove to be a menace to the PSV defence all night. One can be certain that any offensive calls that go Ajax’s way will have Tadic involved.
Prediction
PSV Eindhoven 3-2 Ajax
Both teams are more or less evenly balanced and will have an eye on next weekend’s cup final. This could kill some of the feistiness that would otherwise have been on offer. PSV will have a slight edge going into the game and should make use of the home support to secure a win. The match is likely to have goals in it with the home side coming out trumps in a shooting contest.
