Yes, I’m back — and it really has been a while. Life gets busy, priorities shift, but my connection to Dutch football never faded. The smell of freshly cut grass, the sunshine shining down while the thud of footballs being pinged around training pitches, the new signings wearing the new kits… it’s all here again. The new season has arrived, and this one feels special. The gap between the top three looks tighter than it has in years, the incoming talent is stronger, and a bunch of several stars who normally head abroad have stayed put.
So let’s dive into a full preview of the most entertaining league in world football. And yes that’s a FACT. The 2025–26 Eredivisie led all major European leagues with 3.18 goals per game across its 306 matches – so there!
Thanks for reading.
WHO’S GONNA WIN THE LEAGUE?
I’m still in the camp for PSV to win the league but they will not find it as easy as the past few years and I see Ajax as their closest challenger. The three contenders I will discuss here will see more additions coming into the squad before the September 1st deadline, and might even see some leave, so the line-ups could look significantly different within a months’ time.
Last season Peter Bosz’s men dominated the league for a third consecutive season, but this was perhaps their most dominant of three consecutive Eredivisie titles. PSV scored a league-high 101 goals. They won the league by a landslide (19-point differential), but also won 13 matches in a row at one point and went 18 undefeated between 13 September 2025 and 2 February 2026 (W16, D2).
PSV’s biggest edge over their two rivals is continuity under head coach Peter Bosz. While rivals adjust to new coaches and ideas, this squad already understands his tactical demands inside out. Bosz himself has evolved, managing preseason smarter by giving World Cup players extra rest to avoid past mistakes. His approach continues to deliver: three seasons, three titles, built on an aggressive, high‑tempo style perfectly suited to a league overflowing with goals. There is only one thing that could stop them. Can the squad can maintain its hunger after the three years of success?
PSV’s transfer strategy has saw them refresh its line-up and sustain its competitive edge and the summer transfer window was story of many high-profile targets and unresolved negotiations. RB Leipzig’s Lutsharel Geertruida, loaned to Sunderland last year, is PSV’s top target and personal terms were already agreed. However, Leipzig’s shifting priorities have slowed progress and Feyenoord’s parallel interest added another layer of complexity, as the Rotterdam side were looking to bring him home.
However, Japanese midfielder Kodai Sano looks set to be heading to the Philips Stadion. Since joining NEC from Fagiano Okayamathen in his homeland, Sano has played 98 times for the Nijmegen side, scoring 12 goals and providing 13 assists. Last season, he was one of the standout players in Dick Schreuder’s team, which pulled off a surprise by finishing third in the Eredivisie. And on the left flank, the 33-year-old Filip Kostić, formerly of FC Groningen is the leading option. As of writing, PSV waiting to see whether he accepts their two‑year proposal after leaving Fenerbahce in the summer on free.
Ruben van Bommel will be a key player, if he has recovered from injury, he could have a major impact this season. Joey Veerman will continue to make the team tick. His early red card last week left a huge gap in the side that saw AZ win 4-0 in the Johan Cruyff Schaal. If Veerman avoids a transfer out of Eindhoven, he will have a huge importance to Bosz’s tactical system. As usual though, PSV has a young talent in Noah Fernandez capable of stepping into the midfield should established stars like Veerman depart.
Very much on a comeback trail, AJAX are eager to restore stability and ambition after a chaotic season marked by three different managers and a fractured dressing room. The turbulence of the Heitinga–Grim–García carousel left the club scrambling to secure even a Conference League qualifying spot, a stark contrast to NEC’s breakout year last season. This summer, however, signals a reset.
Under the guidance of technical director Jordi Cruijff, Ajax have abandoned the survival‑mode mentality of simply chasing Champions League revenue and have openly set their sights on competing for the Eredivisie title again. Cruijj is prioritising success over long-term resale value. New head coach Míchel, arriving after an impressive spell at Girona — where he earned promotion to La Liga and kept the club competitive until last season’s relegation — brings a clear tactical identity and a reputation for developing cohesive, energetic sides.
The squad, though still a work in progress, shows promising signs. The Amsterdammers need reinforcements at the number 6 position and on the wings to reach true title‑challenger quality, but the spine of experience remains intact. Daley Blind returns to be a stabilizing force, central to the team’s build‑up play. Their involvement in the Conference League is viewed as an opportunity rather than a burden — a chance to build rhythm, confidence and momentum early in the season.
Ajax has done some tremendous business. In a real power move, Julian Brandt (30) arrives from Dortmund with a wealth of experience, goals, assists and creativity. At a recent open training session, Brandt was then asked why he had chosen Ajax specifically, given that he had other options. “Why not?” he replied. With those two words, Brandt brought the crowd to their feet: thunderous applause descended from the stands in the Johan Cruijff ArenA onto the pitch.
Perhaps the most exciting addition is Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo, whose arrival injects a new dimension into the attack. Fresh from Al Hilal and already renowned for his clinical finishing, he scored 30 goals in 51 appearances and profiles as a forward capable of delivering a 20/25 goal Eredivisie season. His intelligent movement, sharp instincts inside the box and right‑footed precision make him an ideal focal point for Míchel’s system.
Ajax’s summer blends confirmed business with ongoing pursuits and strategic squad planning. The club has secured the arrival of Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, whose imposing profile, eye‑catching goal celebration, and choice of shirt number 99 have already drawn comparisons to former Ajax striker Nwankwo Kanu.
Beyond that, interest in FC Twente defender Bart van Rooij persists, though reports of concrete talks have been downplayed by both the player and his club, leaving his potential fit in Míchel’s system as more of a theoretical discussion than an active negotiation.
This week, Míchel is still targeting three additions — two midfielders and a goalkeeper — while shaping the squad around developing talents like Oscar Gloukh and identifying the ideal profile for a new number six. The evolution of Mika Godts, now operating as a left‑sided playmaker, is a key asset and is one of the stars of the league at 21-years-old. Ajax realise the importance of keeping him but have floated the idea of Noa Lang as a possible successor, who could be available on loan, should Godts move on with a big move to PSG looking more and more likely.
As I type, the goalkeeping situation has improved as Marc-André ter Stegen joined on loan from Barcelona and aligns perfectly with the Amsterdammers. While his ability to read danger early and sweep up behind the defence suits Ajax’s high line, his composed distribution playing out from the back will be a huge asset in this league. Add in his leadership and communication, and he offers exactly the reliability and personality Ajax expect from their new number one.
They feel like a club moving in the right direction, from the boardroom to the dugout to the pitch. The rebuild is still ongoing, but there’s a renewed sense of identity and purpose, and a cautious optimism has settled over Amsterdam. With a clearer plan, stronger leadership and a more balanced squad, the belief is growing that the climb back toward the top has genuinely begun. And if their new signings settle quickly, Ajax may not be far behind PSV and Feyenoord. Although, unlike PSV, managing a demanding Thursday-Sunday schedule due to European commitments may be a step too far for Michel’s first season at the helm.
After a turbulent campaign marked by internal discord under Robin van Persie, FEYENOORD enter the new season with a renewed sense of purpose and optimism. The club has undergone significant internal changes, with new appointments for the General Director, Technical Director, and head coaching staff.
The new head coach, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, he is a steady, charismatic leader who brings calm authority and a clear vision to De Kuip. Alongside assistant Sipke Hulshoff, he has helped rebuild trust and professionalism within the club’s hierarchy, replacing last year’s toxic atmosphere with unity and direction. The management team now appears aligned, focused on restoring Feyenoord’s identity both on and off the pitch.
Feyenoord’s summer has been defined by constant movement behind the scenes, with transfer decisions and squad planning shaping the club’s outlook for the new campaign. The growing interest in Givairo Read has become one of the headline stories, with AS Roma submitting a substantial bid of around €25 million; Feyenoord are in negotiations, though many believe the club should hold out for closer to €30 million.
Up front, Ayase Ueda remains the clear first-choice striker, but a big loss is Leo Sauer who has departed for Stuttgart, while a bid from FC Twente for Gerino Schaken was swiftly rejected, with Feyenoord viewing the young winger as an important long-term talent. Shaquille van Persie, the son of Robin van Persie has emerged as a promising talent and has performed well as a right-winger in the preseason, showing he can score goals from that position so that area could be sorted come kick-off. Meanwhile, Casper Tengstedt has attracted attention from the Seattle Sounders, and Feyenoord appear open to a sale if the right offer arrives.
While the squad still requires trimming and targeted reinforcements, the overall mood is one of cautious confidence, Feyenoord look to be finally moving in the right direction, and some even suggest that, with Van Bronckhorst’s influence and a refreshed dressing room, the Rotterdam giants could mount a genuine challenge, or at least like Ajax, close the gap somewhat.
No official bet from me here as my selection PSV is far too short at 1.72 (Bet365, Boyle Sports, Unibet) but if you like either of their nearest challengers, you can pick up Feyenoord (5.00 at Boyle Sports) or Ajax (6.00 at William Hill) which is more appealing for something to cheer on.
Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org