The standout fixture in round 20 of the 2023-24 Eredivisie campaign sees bitter rivals Ajax and PSV Eindhoven lock horns in the latest edition of De Topper at the Johan Cruyff ArenA on Saturday.
The hosts are currently on a run of four straight victories, while their visitors have lost just one of 13 matches heading into this weekend's heavyweight meeting.
Match preview
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PSV Eindhoven snapped a two-game winless streak with a routine 2-0 victory over Almere City in Saturday's meeting at the Philips Stadion.
Peter Bosz's men took the lead on the stroke of half time through Luuk de Jong, after which the striker doubled his side's lead just past the hour mark from the penalty spot.
Consequently, De Rood-witten have extended their lead at the top of the Eredivisie table to a whopping 12 points over second-placed Feyenoord.
Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have been beaten in each of the last six editions of this fixture across all competitions.
Off the back of recently seeing their nine-game unbeaten away run come to an end, Saturday's visitors now set out to avoid consecutive losses on the road for the first time in almost two years.
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Ajax continued their recent upturn in form as they emerged victorious from a thrilling affair against Heracles Almelo, which ended 4-2 at the Erve Asito on Saturday evening.
John van 't Schip's men fell behind to Jizz Hornkamp's opener but wasted no time in turning the game on its head thanks to two goals from Brian Brobbey either side of Steven Berghuis's strike, after which Kristian Hlynsson sealed the deal to render Mario Engels's effort inconsequential.
With 34 points amassed from 19 league matches this term, De Godenzonen sit fourth in the standings, one point behind AZ Alkmaar in the race for the final guaranteed European spot.
Having scored 16 times in their last five matches on home turf, Saturday's hosts will be looking to put on another fine attacking display in front of their fans.
Team News
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PSV Eindhoven are set to be without Joey Veerman and Armel Bella-Kotchap as they continue to nurse muscle and shoulder injuries respectively.
Following his double against Almere City last time out, Luuk de Jong has now been directly involved in 24 goals - the most of any Eredivisie player this season.
Defensive duo Gaston Avila and Josip Sutalo are still sidelined for Ajax through knee injuries, while Sivert Mannsverk remains out with a leg problem.
The home side are also set to be without Mika Godts and Chuba Akpom, although the latter is drawing increasingly closer to a return to action.
Twenty-two-year-old Brian Brobbey has found the back of the net in each of his last six appearances, making him one to keep an eye on here.
Ajax possible starting lineup:
Ramaj; Martha, Hato, Rensch, Gooijer; Taylor, Tahirovic; Forbs, Hlynsson, Berghuis; Brobbey
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Teze, Ramalho, Boscagli, Dest; Til, Schouten, Lang; Lozano, De Jong, Bakayoko
We say: Ajax 1-2 PSV Eindhoven
Given the plethora of attacking talent on display, we are backing both teams to get on the scoresheet here. That said, we can also see PSV just about edging out their hosts to claim all three points in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
