Can PSV bring an end to Ajax’s title charge?
mr3002 / Shutterstock.com
Fans of Feyenoord and Ajax are set for an intense few weeks, with the 2016/17 Eredivisie title set to go down to the wire. Feyenoord currently lead the race by a single point, but with three fixtures still to play there is still plenty of time for the tables to turn. However, to stay in with a chance of clinching the title, Ajax must overcome current champions PSV Eindhoven in their own backyard on Sunday, with kick-off set for 3:45pm GMT.
Claiming all three points at the Philips Stadion will be a tough task for Ajax, given that PSV’s only home defeat this season came against Feyenoord way back in September. In fact, Feyenoord remain the only team to have prevailed against Phillip Cocu’s side so far this season.
Despite losing just twice, PSV have been largely inconsistent compared to previous years, recording nine draws in 31 matches so far. Although, they have put together a decent run since the New Year, having won 11 of their last 14 matches, which has helped them to keep up with the two title favourites.
However, with Feyenoord now leading them by seven points, they would need the league leaders to lose all three of their remaining games in order to hold on to their crown. Given Feyenoord have lost just three league games since February 2016, that seems somewhat unlikely. However, the chance of finishing second and securing Champions League football for another season is still on the cards.
Should PSV prevail on Sunday, they would cut the gap between them and second placed Ajax to just three points, leaving them with a very slim, yet possible, chance, should results go their way over the final two rounds of fixtures.
Given that these two sides possess a similar level of quality, this one is most likely to end in a draw, as it did when they met back in December. Should that be the case, the title race would be all but over, barring a catastrophic slip-up from Feyenoord in their game against Vitesse Arnhem this weekend. While it wouldn’t confirm the title, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side would be three points clear, meaning that they would just need to produce a result against strugglers SBV Excelsior next weekend to put themselves out of reach.
Yet, even if the title is beginning to look unlikely for PSV and Ajax, both will be desperate to secure the second Champions League spot and will both be playing for the win on Sunday, providing an exciting 90 minutes of football.
Home
Football 
Basketball
Hockey
American Football
Baseball
Rugby
Volleyball
Handball
Esoccer
