Victory for Ajax over Willem II this weekend would clinch their third consecutive title in a row while also condemning the Tilburg side to relegation down into the Jupiler League.
Frank de Boer’s side lost three crucial pieces in his championship-winning puzzle last summer with Jan Vertonghen and Vurnon Anita moving to England, with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United respectively, and right-back Gregory van der Wiel joining Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. Due to this, rivals PSV Eindhoven (who strenghened in the window) were installed as favourites to take the shield.
However, heading into Week 33 fixtures, the title race looks over as Ajax lead second-placed PSV by four points. The unlikelihood of a Willem II win at the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday would give PSV a glimmer of hope going into next week final set of fixtures. SC Cambuur last night clinched the Jupiler League title (full story here) and will replace Willem II if defeated by the title chasers.
Free-scoring PSV are in pole position to clinch the Champions League qualification spot but are level on points with third-placed Feyenoord while Vitesse Arnhem are only two points behind.
PSV host NEC Nijmegen and Feyenoord are also up against a mid-table side, ADO Den Haag while Vitesse have a tough fixture travelling to RKC Waalwijk, who are fighting for survival, only one place above the relegation play-off places.
Feyenoord are already guaranteed to be in the top four while Vitesse, who are six points ahead of fifth-placed FC Twente, only need one more point. FC Twente travel to Heracles Almelo this weekend with FC Utrecht and Heerenveen in sixth and seventh meeting each other.
FC Groningen, who visit second bottom VVV-Venlo, are the other side likely to contest the Europa League play-offs as they have a five-point advantage over Heracles, ADO and NEC.
At the bottom, Roda JC currently sit one point behind RKC and will hope to climb out of the bottom two with a win over NAC Breda while AZ Alkmaar meet PEC Zwolle.
The Europa League and relegation playoffs will begin 16th May.
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