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Ajax
Eredivisie | Gameweek 11
Nov 2, 2024 at 5.45pm UK
Amsterdam ArenA
PSV

Ajax
3 - 2
PSV

Klaassen (43'), Fitz-Jim (66'), Godts (74')
Brobbey (70'), Berghuis (90+3')
FT(HT: 1-1)
de Jong (18'), Perisic (54')
Flamingo (23'), Karsdorp (76'), de Jong (90+5')

Preview: Ajax vs. PSV Eindhoven - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Eredivisie clash between Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

The first De Topper meeting of the 2024-25 season and 186th overall sees Ajax host PSV Eindhoven at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday in the pick of gameweek 11's Eredivisie action.

The historic Dutch sides enter the encounter occupying the first two spots in the league, albeit with the visitors eight points clear, having played a game more, putting the pressure of winning on Francesco Farioli's men.


Match preview

Ajax boss Francesco Farioli celebrates his side's win against Jagiellonia on August 29, 2024© Imago

Ajax have seemingly found their feet in the new regime as they aim to return to the summit of the Eredivisie, highlighted by clinching five consecutive league victories before Saturday's big-game battle.

Farioli's indifferent start, featuring two victories, a draw and a loss in the campaign's opening four games, dampened the mood in Amsterdam, but the subsequent results have lifted optimism.

Albeit from small sample sizes, the average improvement at both ends of the pitch underscores De Godenzonen's ongoing run.

The Italian manager's side averaged 2.0 goals in their first four fixtures, a statistic boosted by scoring five in their success over Fortuna Sittard (5-0) and conceding three goals (0.75), but that average now reads 2.4 (12 goals in five matches) and 0.8 (four goals conceded in five) heading into Saturday.

Ajax have kept three shutouts in recent times, and the conceded average of goals would have been lower had Farioli's team not let in three in their road success at Heracles (4-3) this month.

Supporters heading to the Johan Cruyff Arena hope their team's marginal improvement stands them in good stead as they bid to end a two-year winless run against the enemy, thus closing the gap atop the standings to five.

Luuk de Jong of PSV Eindhoven  on October 18, 2024© Imago

Unblemished PSV have played one more game, scoring a boatload of goals (35) and letting in six before their 11th league match this term.

The defending Eredivisie champions are on pace to break their record for most points accrued (91) set in the previous campaign, when they eclipsed Ajax's 89 points from the 1997-98 campaign.

Although Boeren, favourites to clinch a 26th league crown this term, may not face the same pressure as this weekend's hosts, they aim to keep potential title rivals at bay in the title race — Ajax and Utrecht have 22 points.

With the closest sides to Peter Bosz's men to play against each other in their rescheduled match in early December, one of those sides will drop points in Amsterdam, possibly handing PSV an advantage atop the table.

Undefeated in the Eredivisie since March — a 3-1 loss at NEC — the table-topping club are unbeaten in 17 matches, winning 11 on the trot before Saturday's match, and aim to avoid losing against an opponent they have dominated in the past two years.

Ajax Eredivisie form:


Ajax form (all competitions):


PSV Eindhoven Eredivisie form:


PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions):



Team News

Joey Veerman in action for PSV Eindhoven on September 28, 2024© Imago

Kenneth Taylor, withdrawn on the hour against Feyenoord on Wednesday, is doubtful for Saturday's match, possibly joining Sivert Mannsverk, Kristian Hlynsson (both have ankle issues), Julian Rijkhoff, Gaston Avila (knee) and Amourricho Van Axel-Dongen in Ajax's injury room.

Wout Weghorst has outscored every teammate in the home side's five-match winning run (three goals), and the Dutchman aims to add to his three Eredivisie strikes after firing blanks against Feyenoord mid-week.

Jorrel Hato — three assists, three big chances created — has been a creative presence from left-back and the defender, allied with Davy Klaassen — four goals, three big chances created — offer Farioli alternative game-changing solutions to Weghorst.

Former Ajax wide defender Sergino Dest is missing due to a knee injury, joining Hirving Lozano (muscle), Jerdy Schouten (hamstring) and Joey Veerman (groin) on PSV's treatment table, while Ivan Perisic will be assessed.

Even though Lozano (four goals) will miss out, Bosz can depend on Malik Tillman, Luuk de Jong, Ricardo Pepi (all on five goals) and Johan Bakayoko (four goals) to deliver the goods in Amsterdam.


Ajax possible starting lineup:
Pasveer; Rensch, Sutalo, Baas, Hato; Klaassen, Henderson, Fitz-Jim; Traore, Weghorst, Godts

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Junior, Flamingo, Boscagli, Dams; Til, Tillman, Saibari; Bakayoko, De Jong, Lang


SM words green background

We say: Ajax 1-2 PSV Eindhoven

Despite PSV missing Veerman's creativity at Ajax, the defending champions have so much attacking firepower to unpick Farioli's men. Thus, we back the visiting side to continue their winning run at the expense of their rivals in Saturday's De Topper clash.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Game History

How you voted: Ajax vs PSV

Ajax
23.7%
Draw
23.7%
PSV Eindhoven
52.7%
93
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1PSV EindhovenPSV1211014093133
2FC UtrechtUtrecht119112011928
3Ajax1182125111426
4Feyenoord1274128131525
5FC Twente1264224111322
6AZ AlkmaarAZ125252314917
7Fortuna SittardSittard125251316-317
8NECNijmegen125161910916
9Willem II124351312115
10Go Ahead Eagles124351520-515
11NAC BredaNAC Breda125071221-915
12Heerenveen124261323-1014
13Groningen123361219-712
14PEC Zwolle123361422-812
15Heracles123361223-1112
16Sparta RotterdamSparta122551218-611
17Almere CityAlmere City12138627-216
18RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk1211101031-214


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