PSV Eindhoven will aim to defend their KNVB Beker crown when they lock horns with Ajax in the competition's showpiece at De Kuip on Sunday afternoon.
Having clinched a 3-0 victory over Ajax in the league last weekend, PSV will be hopeful of notching back-to-back wins against the Amsterdam giants.
Match preview
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It would not be unfair to say that Ajax have endured a below-par campaign up to now, as the perennial Dutch champions find themselves 11 points behind leaders Feyenoord in the Eredivisie table.
De Godenzonen also suffered an early exit from the Champions League earlier this season, losing four of their six group games before falling to Union Berlin in the Europa League knockout round playoffs.
John Heitinga replaced Alfred Schreuder as manager in January, with the new boss overseeing 12 victories across his first 18 matches in charge, but last weekend's defeat at PSV halted the team's momentum under Heitinga.
Granted, Ajax have made light work of their KNVB Beker opponents this term, with clean-sheet victories against Den Bosch, FC Twente and De Graafschap preceding a semi-final triumph over arch-rivals Feyenoord.
Ajax have won a record 20 KNVB Beker titles over the years, most recently in 2021, but PSV defeated the Amsterdam giants in last season's final to snatch the silverware.
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PSV Eindhoven will be brimming with belief after Sunday's 3-0 victory over Ajax, with a Luuk de Jong brace and a Xavi Simons penalty wrapping up a famous win for Ruud van Nistelrooy's side.
Consequently, second-placed PSV lead third-placed Ajax by three points in the Eredivisie standings, meaning that PSV remain on course to secure Champions League football at the expense of De Godenzonen.
Not only did PSV topple Ajax last time out, but they also extended their winning streak to five games, while Van Nistelrooy's men have now won 10 of their last 11 matches in all competitions.
It is also worth pointing out that PSV Eindhoven suffered a solitary defeat across their previous 17 encounters, picking up 13 wins along the way, with KNVB Beker triumphs over Emmen, ADO Den Haag and Spakenburg coming in that time.
Given that Feyenoord have all but secured the Eredivisie title, PSV will be eager to defend their KNVB Beker crown, but Ajax will also be desperate to pick up some silverware to brighten their disappointing campaign.
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Ajax are still without long-term injury absentee Ahmetcan Kaplan (knee), while Devyne Rensch (thigh) and Mohammed Kudus (hamstring) are also unavailable.
Kudus scored six goals in eight Eredivisie games before sustaining a hamstring problem, so the Ghanaian forward will be sorely missed as Ajax bid to reclaim the KNVB Beker title.
Dusan Tadic will continue to lead the line for De Godenzonen, with Steven Berghuis and Steven Bergwijn supporting the striker, leaving Davy Klaassen to anchor the midfield alongside Florian Grillitsch and Kenneth Taylor.
PSV Eindhoven, on the other hand, look set to be without left-back Mauro Junior (knee) for the foreseeable future, while Joey Veerman is a doubt for Sunday due to illness.
After scoring two goals against Ajax last weekend – and nine goals across his previous nine league outings – Luuk de Jong will continue to lead PSV's attack.
Xavi Simons will aim to enhance his tally of 18 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, while cup goalkeeper Joel Drommel will be hoping to keep his place between the sticks.
Ajax possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Sanchez, Timber, Bassey, Hato; Klaassen, Grillitsch, Taylor; Berghuis, Tadic, Bergwijn
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Drommel; Teze, Ramalho, Branthwaite, Van Aanholt; Til, Sangare, Veerman; Bakayoko, De Jong, Simons
We say: Ajax 1-2 PSV Eindhoven
Carrying a wave of momentum into Sunday's final, PSV Eindhoven will back themselves to get the job done against Ajax, who have flattered to deceive throughout the campaign.
Given what happened last weekend, PSV should extend their unbeaten run to 13 matches with another memorable victory over Ajax, with Ruud van Nistelrooy's men defending their KNVB Beker title.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Morris
