Ajax vs PSV Eindhoven Preview: Eredivisie Match Preview, Where to watch and more

Its De Topper time once again at the 2018-19 Eredivisie and now, it is way more than just pride, passion or bragging rights over an arch rival. The long-lasting battle for the Eredivisie title could more or less be over when the referee blows the full-time whistle as PSV head into the game sitting atop with a comfortable 5-point lead over Ajax.

Erik Ten Hag’s men will definitely be under pressure given that it is virtually their last opportunity to create a turn-around in the title race. A win for Ajax would put them just 2 points behind PSV with 6 games to go and this means that even a win might not be enough to clinch their first Eredivisie in 5 years.

If the Amsterdammers manage to get all 3 points this weekend, then they would still have to win all of their games and also hope for PSV to fail elsewhere. Although multiple permutations and combinations have to fall in place for Ajax to succeed, the least they can do is to give their best and hope.

As far as the team news is concerned, Ajax are sweating over the fitness of their talisman Hakim Ziyech and undoubtedly, his shoes might be too big for any one of the Ajax substitutes to fill in. Despite Dusan Tadic’s sublime form, the magic of Frenkie De Jong in the midfield and Matthijs De Ligt’s solidity at the back, Ziyech has indeed been Ajax’s player of the season.

It is probably the worst time for Ajax to miss a player of Ziyech’s stature as they have entered the most important phase of the season with them still competing for all trophies such as the league, cup and the Champions League.

Form Guide

Ajax

27th February: Feyenoord 0-3 Ajax (KNVB Cup)

5th March: Real Madrid 1-4 Ajax (UEFA Champions League)

10th March: Ajax 4-0 Fortuna Sittard

13th March: Ajax 2-1 PEC Zwolle

17th March: AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Ajax

PSV Eindhoven

16th February: SC Heerenveen 2-2 PSV Eindhoven (Eredivisie)

24th February: PSV Eindhoven 1-1 Feyenoord (Eredivisie)

2nd March: Excelsior 0-2 PSV Eindhoven (Eredivisie)

9th March: PSV Eindhoven 2-0 NAC Breda (Eredivisie)

17th March: VVV-Venlo 0-1 PSV Eindhoven (Eredivisie)

Head-to-Head Record:

Played: 166

Ajax: 74

Goals Scored by Ajax: 307

Draw: 30

PSV Eindhoven: 62

Goals Scored by PSV Eindhoven: 272

Venue: Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam

Date & Day: 31st March, Sunday

Time: 20:15 IST

Telecast: NA

Key Facts:

Ajax are undefeated at home in the 2018-19 Eredivisie with 11 wins & 2 draws out of 13 games.

PSV have scored in every game of the 2018-19 season inclusive of all competitions (Eredivisie, KNVB Cup & UEFA Champions League) except one game when they lost 4-0 against Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

Since the 2019 New Year, Ajax have played 9 games in the Eredivisie and they have managed to keep only 3 clean sheets, conceding at least 1 goal in the remaining 6 games.