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

The current top two in the Eredivisie table go head-to-head on Sunday when Ajax welcome PSV Eindhoven to the Johan Cruyff ArenA.

The sides are separated by just a point after the first nine matchdays and this weekend's game promises to be an enthralling affair.

Match preview

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Ajax eased past Heerenveen in a 2-0 victory on Saturday to return to winning ways following a defeat to Utrecht just before the international break.

Goals in either half from Sebastien Haller and David Neres secured a well-deserved three points for Erik ten Hag's men at the Abe Lenstra Stadion.

De Godenzonen remain top of the standings having dropped only five points and conceded two goals this term as they go in search of a 36th Eredivisie title.

The Amsterdam-based club also claimed a 4-0 victory over German side Borussia Dortmund in their third Champions League group-stage clash on Tuesday and head into this weekend's contest with the wind in their sails.

With revenge on the agenda following August's 4-0 drubbing at the hands of the visitors, Sunday's hosts will be keen to come out on top and extend their cushion at the summit.

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PSV picked up where they left off before the international break with a 3-1 victory versus PEC Zwolle at the Philips Stadion on Saturday.

Roger Schmidt's men found themselves behind three minutes into the contest courtesy of Daishawn Redan's opener, but late goals from Andre Ramalho, Cody Gakpo and Olivier Boscagli turned the tie on its head.

The Rood-witten remain hot on the trails of this weekend's opponents as they seek to end a four-year drought since their last title in the 2017-18 campaign.

Sunday's visitors, who were beaten 2-1 by Monaco in Thursday's Europa League clash, have little time to dwell on that defeat as they prepare for what is arguably their biggest game of the season.

Team News

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Cody Gakpo limped off with an ankle injury in midweek and the forward will be a big miss for the visitors having netted in his last two appearances.

PSV will also be without the services of Noni Madueke and Ritsu Doan who are sidelined with thigh and knee injuries respectively.

Twenty-one-year-old Richard Ledezma still awaits his first outing of the new campaign as he remains sidelined with a torn ACL which he suffered last December.

Sebastien Haller has netted 14 times in as many games for club and country this term, and the former West Ham man is one to keep an eye on.

Maarten Steklenburg has missed all but three of Ajax's matches due to a hip injury, and Remko Pasveer will continue to deputise in the absence of his Dutch teammate.

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Pasveer; Mazraoui, Timber, Martinez, Blind; Alvarez, Gravenberch, Berghuis; Neres, Tadic, Haller

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:

Drommel; Max, Obispo, Ramalho, Mwene; Sangare, Van Ginkel, Gotze; Vertessen, Zahavi, Bruma

We say: Ajax 3-1 PSV Eindhoven

Ajax and PSV are set to battle it out for this year's title and Sunday's result could go a long way in determining who gets to lay their hands on the title come May. We are backing Ajax to emerge victorious in what should be an absorbing affair.