With the winter break over, Eredivisie’s top sides returned to action with refreshed legs and renewed vigour. With victories for Feyenoord, Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Heerenveen and AZ Alkmaaar, the title race looks likely to go down to the wire, with plenty of action still to be enjoyed over the coming months.
The action is set to kick off when Heerenveen travel to PSV on Sunday, in what could be a make or break game for the club, who have exceeded expectations so far this season.
After finishing in 12th place last term, 2016/17 appeared to be another season of mediocrity for Jurgen Streppel’s side. However, Heerenveen have been the surprise package in the Eredivisie title race this season.
Despite a slow start, in which they failed to win in their first three matches, a run of eight games without suffering defeat propelled them up the table. Their brilliant form has since dipped, with defeats against the likes of Sparta Rotterdam, Ajax and Willem II, but they still find themselves in fourth place with 32 points.
They currently sit 12 points off of table-toppers Feyenoord. Dreams of claiming their first ever Eredivisie title seem unlikely and defeat in Sunday’s game would all but end their chances, but a victory over PSV would cut the deficit between the two sides to just two points, leaving them within touching distance of third place.
Although, PSV will be confident that they can pass through the match unscathed, having embarked on a 12 game unbeaten run dating back to September. Phillip Cocu’s side produced a convincing 2-0 victory over struggling side SBV Excelsior in their first game back following the break. However, they have failed to put together back-to-back wins since claiming six points against Sparta and Vitesse back in October.
The current champions have struggled to find the back of the net at times over the last few months, which has seen them draw four of their last seven matches, two of which ended with a 0-0 scoreline. Although, a victory against Heerenveen will prove that the talented side are up for the title race.
The Champions League is a lucrative competition and the PSV board will be keen to see their club take part in the competition again next season. With just three points currently separating them from second placed Ajax and the chance to compete in the European competition, PSV will go all out to keep up the pace on their title rivals. However, coming up against a difficult opponent, their goal will be to keep their unbeaten run going and build momentum to carry into the final few months of the season.
Given their league position, it’s easy to forget that PSV boast the best defence in the Eredivisie and have lost just one game so far this season. The Dutch giants will be confident going into the clash, particularly so with home advantage on their side, but Heerenveen will know that another defeat will dump them out of the title race.
There’s still a long way to go this season, but this game could prove costly for both sides at the end of the season, should the result go against them.