Eredivisie 2022-23: PSV vs Ajax: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

A Champions League qualifier spot is up for grabs as third and second in the league table collide

Eredivisie is set to produce a match of humongous proportions as second-placed Ajax go away to face third placed PSV Eindhoven in what is going to be a thrilling encounter.

A Champions League qualifier spot is up for grabs as third-placed PSV are just behind Ajax by mere goal difference with both teams sitting at 62 points after 29 games. An impressive run at home throughout the season with 12 victories and a draw in 14 matches has boosted Ruud Van Nistelrooy's men's hopes of making it to the UEFA Champions League next season. They are eight points behind league leaders Feyenoord with just five games to go in the season, and it all looks but done and dusted if you look from the perspective of the league leaders.

As the Dutch Cup final beckons this coming Sunday between PSV and Ajax, Ajax will be going into the game with a rich vein of form after back to back victorries in Eredivisie against Fortuna Sittard and FC Emmen and a 2-1 victory away from home in the KNVB Beker semi-finals earlier this month against league leaders Feyenoord whom they thrashed out to have a showdown with PSV twice in a week's time.

Their away record this season has been something to talk about with them being unbeaten in their last 10 Eredivisie away games, scoring a total of 28 goals and netting at least three in six of those games during this run. Johny Heitinga's men are just ahead of PSV by goal difference and a win at the Philips Stadion might guarantee a place in the Champions League qualifiers next season if they avoid any slip ups.

Kick-Off:

Sunday, 23-04-2023, 12:30 PM (GMT)

Sunday, 23-04-2023, 06:00 PM (IST)

PSV Eindhoven Form (All Competitions): W-W-W-W-D

Ajax Form (All Competitions): W-W-W-D-L

Player to Watch Out

PSV Eindhoven: Luuk De Jong

Luuk de Jong is right-footed, but scores a lot of goals with his left. He is not limited by any degree of one-footedness, meaning he doesn't have to adjust his body or run to compensate. An immaculate presence in the box with his height and stature, he increased his goal tally for the season to 10, to help the Rood-Witten win their fourth successive match after their impressive 3-2 away win against FC Volendam last weekend.

Ajax: Dusan Tadic

The fact that there is creativity all over the pitch means that Tadic is just one man who needs to be nullified by the opponent. He is also an excellent goal scorer and has proven his quality at every club he has played at including being proven in the Premier League whilst playing for Southampton. More of a playmaker than an out and out forward, his influence might prove to be pivotal in this match.

Match Facts

PSV have beaten Ajax in each of their last three league meetings, including a 2-1 away league victory in November.

PSV have scored 46 goals at home this season at Philips Stadion whereas Ajax have netted 28 times away from home making this a spectacular watch.

Injury and Team News

Fode Fofana and Mario Junior are yet to be assessed and it looks like they might doubt for this fixture with minor issues. Thorgan Hazard, Anwar El-Ghazi and Fabio Silva have kept the bench in star light and if the forward duo of Luuk De Jong and Xavi Simons fail to ignite the match, they might come in handy for Nistelrooy's men. Armando Obispo and Phillip Mwene both remain sidelined with respective knee and muscle injuries.

Mohammed Kudus will be a big miss out for the second placed team with a muscle injury as he will miss the trip to Philips Stadion. Edson Alavarez received his tenth yellow card of the season and will be out for this fixture with a suspension as Calvin Bassey is most likely to take his place. Steven Bergwijn, Dusan Tadic and Berghuis have been the main three men up front while Devyne Rensch and Ahmetcan Kaplan will require a late fitness test to determine their availability this weekend.

Head-to-head Stats

Matches – 56

PSV Eindhoven– 22

Draws – 12

Ajax– 22

Predicted Lineup

PSV Eindhoven Predicted lineup (4-3-3): 

Benitez; Tete, Ramalho, Boscagli, Van Aanholt; Til, Gutierrez, Veerman; Bakayoko, De Jong, Simons

Ajax Predicted lineup (4-3-3): 

Rulli; Sanchez, Timber, Bassey, Wijndal; Klaassen, Grillitsch, Taylor; Berghuis, Tadic, Bergwijn

Prediction for PSV vs Ajax

Both the teams have been neck on neck throughout the season and it looks like we have a fascinating encounter on the cards with both the teams in blistering form. Nobody is going to give up a chance in finishing second and grabbing the all important Champions League qualifiers spot next season. We are predicting it to be a close encounter with a draw a likely result.

Prediction: PSV Eindhoven 2-2 AFC Ajax.

Telecast

India – No Telecast.

UK – Mola.

US –ESPN.

Nigeria – No telecast.