Ajax vs PSV – News and Probable Lineups

PSV Eindhoven, the Eredivisie champions, are looking to break their four-match winless streak as they head to Ajax for the round 32 encounter at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday.

In the previous meeting in Eindhoven, Peter Bosz’s team was just minutes away from a win before conceding an equalizer in the 88th minute. Now, they aim to end a three-year winless run against Ajax while undermining the Amsterdam side’s aspirations for European competition.

Match overview

When Ajax faced a crushing 5-2 defeat against their fierce rivals in October 2023, few could have foreseen the strong unbeaten streak that would follow.

Under the management of Hedwiges Maduro at the time, Ajax’s loss in Eindhoven marked their sixth consecutive defeat in this encounter. However, they have since turned their fortunes around, with six straight losses being replaced by an unbeaten run.

This resurgence includes two wins interspersed with two draws; the most recent saw Oscar Gloukh score an equalizer in the 88th minute, just moments after Yarek Gasiorowski thought he had secured the win.

Aiming to stretch their unbeaten streak to six matches for the first time since a seven-match run from March 2019 to February 2021, Ajax, now managed by Oscar Garcia, seeks a favorable outcome in De Topper on Saturday.

Joint leaders of the form table over the last five matches, where they secured 10 points, they will remain in fourth place on goal difference over a resurgent FC Twente if Twente also triumphs against AZ Alkmaar. Meanwhile, any dropped points for NEC against Telstar could elevate Ajax over the Nijmegen club into third place in the Eredivisie standings.

PSV have no threats to their position entering gameweek 32, having already secured their 27th title; nonetheless, Bosz’s side is in pursuit of their first win in De Topper in three years.

The last time the Peasants celebrated victory was during Bosz’s inaugural derby as PSV’s head coach, which resulted in an impressive 5-2 win.

However, since that match, PSV has struggled, losing twice and drawing two times against Ajax.

Despite having already clinched their third consecutive league title and not fighting for anything significant, Bosz, a former Ajax manager, is eager to finally secure a win over his old rivals and end their three-year wait for a victory against Ajax.

PSV’s traveling supporters can remain optimistic due to their impressive away record, achieving 13 wins out of 15 matches, although it is important to note that both of their losses in recent outings were to relegation-threatened sides FC Volendam and Telstar, with scores of 2-1 and 3-1, respectively.

Now aiming for consecutive away league victories for the first time since their impressive run of 11 between August and February, the Eindhoven side seeks to halt their four-year winless spell at the Johan Cruyff Arena, where they last enjoyed success in November 2022.

Team News

While Mika Godts appeared to be nursing an injury in the last match, he is anticipated to play in De Topper without any problems.

Godts is currently the top scorer for the Amsterdam club with 16 league goals — only Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda (25) has more in the Eredivisie — and he has recorded four match-winning goals, along with 11 assists showcasing his versatility.

The performances of Gloukh and Wout Weghorst are also crucial, as they are the only Ajax players with double-digit goal contributions this season, with 12 and 11, respectively, leading up to Saturday’s clash.

Unfortunately for the hosts, they will be missing four players due to injuries this weekend, including Davy Klaassen (knee), Kian Fitz-Jim (shoulder), Oleksandr Zinchenko (knee), and Vitezslav Jaros (knee).

After making his debut last week against PEC Zwolle, Nick Olij is likely to make way for Matej Kovar, who is expected to return as the starter for the Eindhoven giants.

One player poised to make an impact is Esmir Bajraktarevic, who was directly involved in five of the Peasants’ six goals in the previous match, bringing his Eredivisie goal contributions to eight.

Ricardo Pepi, the USMNT forward, seeks to bolster his tally of five clinching goals from a total of 13, aiming to add more in Amsterdam.

Ivan Perisic will be unavailable due to suspension, while Alassane Plea, Jerdy Schouten, Sergino Dest, Anass Salah-Eddine, and Ruben van Bommel are currently sidelined with injuries. The team will assess Ismael Saibari’s muscle issue ahead of the fixture on Saturday.

Ajax probable starting XI:

Paes; Gaaei, Sutalo, Baas, Rosa; Gloukh, Regeer, Mokio; Berghuis, Weghorst, Godts

PSV Eindhoven probable starting XI:

Coward; Sildillia, Flamingo, Gasiorowski, Junior; Veerman, Van den Berg; Bajraktarevic, Til, Driuech; Pepi

With Saibari facing a potential absence and Perisic serving a suspension, there remains ample attacking talent and individual prowess on both sides, suggesting that a high-scoring affair at the Johan Cruyff Arena is likely.

The upcoming De Topper holds the promise of a thrilling, chance-laden contest, as neither Ajax nor PSV lacks confidence in the offensive third.

Ajax’s ambitions for European qualification combined with PSV’s determination to end their prolonged dry spell in this matchup could lead to an exhilarating encounter full of goals.