Whatever happens, this night will be remembered for Shelbourne. Ajax’s visit isn’t just a match; it’s a celebration of Irish football’s ambition, a reminder that even the smallest grounds can host the biggest dreamswrites Will Burns.
The arrival of Ajax in Dublin has sparked a wave of excitement that the Shelbourne fans haven’t felt in years. The Amsterdammers, fresh from their 3–1 win in the first leg, will face the spirited Irish side determined to turn Tolka Park into a fortress.
Last week’s contest at the Johan Cruyff Arena saw Mika Godts, the Belgian winger at the centre of a rejected €45 million bid from PSG, torment Shelbourne’s defence, scoring early and setting up two more. Yet the night belonged to goalkeeper Eddie Beach, whose heroics kept the tie alive and gave the travelling 500 fans a moment to savour when Daniel Kelly’s late strike found the net.
Now, the stage shifts to Drumcondra. Only 4,343 supporters can squeeze into Tolka Park, with just 370 tickets for Ajax’s travelling contingent. The contrast couldn’t be sharper — from 51,000 in Amsterdam to a tight, old‑school ground where the fans are practically on the pitch. For Shelbourne, this is more than a match; it’s a statement that Irish football can host Europe’s elite on its own turf.
Shelbourne
Shelbourne will be without Alistair Coote and Jack Henry‑Francis for the Europa Conference League qualifier against Ajax. Both players were forced off at half-time in the recent defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic and won’t recover in time for Thursday’s match.
Despite the setbacks, manager John Russell says the squad is staying calm and sticking to a “next man in” mindset. He believes the group has enough depth to cope, pointing to players like Portuguese forward Rodrigo Freitas who impressed in the first leg in Amsterdam – even though he was dismissed for a double booking at the weekend in the 2-1 defeat to St. Patricks. Russell expects others to step forward again at Tolka Park as Shelbourne try to rise to the occasion against the Dutch giants.
Ajax
Ajax will travel to Ireland with a 23‑man squad, but Steven Berghuis has been left at home, missing the trip for personal reasons rather than injury. Defender Dies Janse, who has been out of the squad in recent weeks, returns to the group for the game in Dublin.
While Ko Itakura, Josip Šutalo, and Rayane Bounida are still absent due to injury. There are no major surprises in Míchel Sánchez’s selection, with Mika Godts still included despite ongoing transfer speculation.
The opening game of the Eredivisie saw Ajax run out 2-0 winners on Sunday at Zwolle. The hosts held Ajax off until the 76th minute when Jorthy Mokio opened the scoring before Julian Brandt notched a second in injury time.
Analysis
Sunday’s 2–1 league loss to St Patrick’s didn’t offer much encouragement that Shelbourne are about to flip the script, but they did find the net again for the seventh time in the last eight games.
Shelbourne are known for their aggressive high press, and that approach could unsettle Ajax. Russell’s side like to swarm the ball early, closing passing lanes and forcing opponents into rushed decisions. When they press in numbers, they can disrupt build-up play and create turnovers in dangerous areas.
Ajax’s possession‑based style invites pressure, and if their midfield rotations aren’t sharp, the Irish may find moments to pounce. With the tighter pitch and the crowd right on top of the action, Shels’ intensity could push Ajax into mistakes, giving the home side a real chance to force errors and create openings.
For the Dutch giants, their defence can be breached like it was last week in the first leg. The 2-0 win against PEC Zwolle at the weekend was the first clean sheet in six games. They had to thank Marc ter Stegen, their new goalkeeper on loan from Barcelona, making two excellent saves.
The performance showed a team still learning its manager’s demands. One of Ajax’s biggest strengths is their tactical intent. Míchel wants a proactive, possession‑heavy approach, built on a midfield with three vertical layers. This structure is designed to give Ajax control through constant passing options and natural rotations. When it works, Ajax look fluid and dominant, able to dictate the rhythm of the match.
Their pressing game is another major asset. Ajax used a 4‑4‑2 diamond‑like shape to hunt the ball high up the pitch, with Davy Klaassen playing a crucial role. His ability to read transitions and manage the spaces between lines helped Ajax disrupt the opponent’s buildup and win the ball in dangerous areas. When the press clicks, Ajax can suffocate teams and create chances from turnovers, I see this happening throughout night at Tolka Park.
However, the weaknesses were just as visible. The squad still lacks standout individual quality in certain positions — the kind of players who can turn tactical advantages into decisive moments. This gap meant that, despite good build-up structures at the weekend, Ajax didn’t always convert their dominance into clear chances. The overall fluidity wasn’t where Míchel wants it to be.
Prediction
Last week I bottled backing Both Teams to Score in the first leg, and it’s a mistake I won’t make again. Ajax, whatever side they put out, will win the game, but Shelbourne to get on the scoresheet gives us a healthy price of 2.75 at Bet365.
⚽️ Ajax win/Both Teams to Score 💷 1pt Best Odds: 2.75 at Bet365
Goffertstadion is set for a huge night on Tuesday as Champions League preliminary‑round debutants NEC host Greek giants Olympiakos in the second leg of their third‑qualifying‑round tie.
With a place in the playoff against Union Saint‑Gilloise or Bodø/Glimt on the line, last week’s balanced first leg in Piraeus has left everything finely poised. Both sides arrive out of form, adding an extra layer of tension to a matchup that could easily turn nervy as the stakes rise but I think NEC can prevail on Tuesday evening writes Will Burns.
NEC Nijmegen
NEC have opened the season in unexpectedly subdued fashion. Their solid draw in Piraeus was a bright spot, but Saturday’s Eredivisie opener brought them back down to earth: a 2–1 home defeat to Telstar, a team that only narrowly avoided relegation last season.
Counting pre‑season, NEC are now winless in four, with three defeats in that stretch — and five losses in their last nine if you include tune‑up matches. More concerning is their sudden struggle in front of goal. Schreuder’s team have either failed to score or managed just once in each of their last four outings: a 1–0 loss to Elfsborg, the draw with Olympiacos, and 2–1 defeats to Sevilla and Telstar.
The hosts received good news ahead of the return match against Olympiakos Piraeus. Darko Nejasmic (Croatian CB) and Tobias Storm (Danish RB/CB) are fit enough to play. Bram Nuytinck (36-year-old CB) will take a seat on the bench, and Philippe Sandler (CB) also appears to be fit in time.
A question mark hung particularly over Nejasmic’s name after the first Eredivisie match of this season. The Croatian was substituted at half-time during the match against Telstar (1-2 defeat) due to discomfort. Coach Dick Schreuder announced on Monday at the press conference ahead of the Champions League third qualifying round match that Nejasmic has recovered. Nuytinck injured his ankle during pre-season and was already included in NEC’s European squad in the hope that he could get some playing time in the return leg. That is the case.
Olympiakos
Getting past Olympiakos will be anything but straightforward. Despite their poor pre‑season and a shaky start to 2026–27, the Greek side still possess plenty of quality — they’re simply not performing to their level at the moment.
Like NEC, José Luis Mendilibar’s team are winless in four, but their form is even more concerning. Olympiakos failed to score in three of those matches and arrive in Nijmegen after a run of games without victory against Ajax, Royal Antwerp, AZ Alkmaar and NEC. The 0–0 first leg only stopped a three‑match losing streak. A narrow 1–0 loss to Ajax was followed by heavy defeats to Antwerp (3–0) and AZ (3–2), with six goals conceded across those friendlies. Regardless of their unofficial status, entering European qualifiers without momentum is far from ideal for Mendilibar.
Ahead of the trip to the Netherlands, Mendilibar confirmed his squad — including the return of Santiago Hezze, who has recovered from injury. The Argentine midfielder will travel, but he is unlikely to start; his last appearance came on May 17 in a 1–1 draw with AEK Athens.
Italian centre‑back Lorenzo Pirola continues to attract interest from Serie A clubs, and it’s easy to see why. Since joining from Salernitana in July 2024, he has developed into arguably the league’s best defender. He came off the bench in the first leg and is expected to start on Tuesday.
Right‑back Manolis Saliakas, who returned to Olympiakos this summer after relegation with St. Pauli, struggled last week — losing three of four ground duels and four of six aerial duels. He could be a vulnerable point in the lineup.
The biggest threat remains 19‑year‑old Christos Mouzakitis, the league’s standout young talent. NEC struggled to contain him in Piraeus: he created the most chances (4), took the joint‑most shots (3), and completed the most passes on the pitch. Jamiro Monteiro will again be tasked with tracking him, but last week showed how difficult that assignment could be, committing three fouls on the youngster and fellow midfielder, 36-year-old Spaniard Dani Garcia.
Analysis
I tipped Both Teams to Score and an Olympiakos win last week, but the goals were nowhere to be seen despite a total of 24 shots, and 9 on target. The Greeks struggled to take control against an energetic NEC team, with Balsa Popovic producing several key saves (4) to keep the hosts level. NEC goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz was equally sharp (5 saves), denying efforts from David Carmo, Rodinei and Ayoub El Kaabi.
Olympiakos’ best early opening came in the 13th minute, when Crettaz pushed Carmo’s header from a Christos Mouzakitis corner around the post. El Kaabi also forced a strong stop before the interval. NEC did grow into the game after the half time break, threatening more consistently through Jamiro Monteiro, who twice tested Popovic from outside the box. Olympiakos, meanwhile, found it increasingly difficult to create clear chances.
After the match, José Luis Mendilibar acknowledged that his side had been surprised by NEC’s aggressive, front‑foot approach — a factor that now shapes the tension heading into the decisive second leg.
Prediction
Looking at recent form, both teams are struggling to find the net and NEC being at home here, I give them the slight advantage. I think we will see a 0-0, 1-1 or a 1-0 Nijmegen win. NEC with the Double Chance and Under 2.5 Goals is 2.26 at Paddy Power in a Bet Builder.
The opening weekend is in the books, and the Eredivisie has already shown why it remains one of Europe’s most unpredictable leagues. There were only one or two surprises, as Feyenoord and Ajax start strong while champions PSV were held at home by Fortuna Sittard. Still, with 25 goals across nine matches, the entertainment levels were exactly what you’d expect from this league writes Will Burns.
I have attached highlights from the clubs’ official YouTube channel where available so you can watch while you read along.
FRIDAY 7TH AUGUST 2026
SC CAMBUUR 0–4 EXCELSIOR
Cambuur’s first game back in the Eredivisie after three years showed just how little top‑flight experience they have. Of the starting XI, only Jamal Amofa, with 61 league appearances, and Rafik El Arguioui, just one, had played at this level before. This was a poor performance for the home side, while Excelsior who scored 5, 5 and 3 in their last three pre-season friendlies continued their scoring spree.
Excelsior took the lead after 17 minutes when Rik Mulders lost the ball and Gyan de Regt played in Georgian right-winger Irakli Yegoian, who finished calmly into the near corner. De Regt then missed a big chance to make it two. In the 31st minute, Skye Vink was dispossessed, Yegoian crossed from the right, and Noah Naujoks slotted in for 0–2. Just before half‑time, Simon Janssen’s cross towards David Garden deflected off El Arguioui and beat Thijs Jansen — the goal credited to Garden for 0–3.
To try and claw back the deficit, Johan Plat brought on Bouhoudane and Costarelli at the break, and Cambuur did show more intent. El Arguioui rounded Stijn van Gassel but couldn’t find a teammate in front of an open goal, then dragged a shot wide moments later. Excelsior still threatened on the counter, and after 59 minutes Naujoks forced a strong save from Jansen with a powerful effort.
The fourth goal arrived in the 68th minute. Jansen was late coming for a corner, allowing Naujoks to head in his second of the night for 0–4.In stoppage time, Ilano Silva Timas thought he had added a fifth, but VAR ruled him offside.
SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST 2026
NEC 1–2 TELSTAR
Telstar stunned NEC with a 1–2 win, leaving the Nijmegen side with a major setback ahead of their Champions League return leg against Olympiakos. Last season’s Eredivisie sensation, who finished third, started poorly and never fully recovered.
The visitors struck almost immediately, just 27 seconds to be precise, when a long throw was flicked on to Patrick Brouwer, who made it 0–1. NEC nearly equalised in the 13th minute when Tjaronn Chery hit the post and Sami Ouaissa fired over from the rebound. Instead, Telstar doubled their lead in the 24th minute. Brouwer found space and slipped the ball to new signing Rui Mendes, who finished confidently for 0–2.
NEC created little for most of the match, and Telstar even came close to a third when Jelani Seedorf’s header caused chaos in the box. Fifteen minutes from time, substitute Kaj Sierhuis hit the crossbar, but he eventually pulled one back in the 82nd minute after good work from Dusan Tadić, making his first official start.
Telstar, last season’s 14th‑placed side, held firm in the closing stages and left Nijmegen with an excellent opening‑day victory. NEC now must regroup quickly. Olympiakos visit the Goffert on Tuesday, with Champions League qualification still within reach. A win would set up a tie against FK Bodø/Glimt or Union Saint‑Gilloise; a loss would drop NEC into the Europa League.
GO AHEAD EAGLES 4–1 WILLEM II
Go Ahead Eagles overturned an early deficit to cruise past newly promoted Willem II. Devin Haen put the visitors ahead in the 13th minute from Nathan Tjoe‑A‑On’s cross, but Søren Tengstedt equalised on the half‑hour after being played through by Melle Meulensteen.
French goalkeeper Thomas Didillon kept Willem II in the game before the break with saves from Stefán Sigurðarson and Dean James, but Go Ahead took full control after half‑time. Meulensteen smashed a long‑range effort into the top corner in the 61st minute, and two minutes later substitute Erik Flataker. who was on the pitch for barely a minute, finished Victor Edvardsen’s pass for the Norweigan’s first goal since joining from AIK Stockholm in the summer.
Willem II then lost Didillon to injury, forcing Wouter van der Steen to come on. With the defence and the keeper trying to get their bearings, Julius Dirksen headed in from Mathis Suray’s cross to make it 4–1 literally moments after the substitution.
The score was probably fair as Go Ahead dominated with 69% possession, 20 shots and 10 on target while the Tilburgers managed just one effort on target from their thirteen attempts. Next weekend sees Go Ahead travel to Feyenoord, while Willem II host NEC.
PSV 2–2 FORTUNA SITTARD
Still reeling from their Johan Cruijff Schaal defeat, PSV’s title defence stumbled again as they were held by a spirited Fortuna Sittard. Peter Bosz’s side came from 0–1 down to lead through Ryan Flamingo and Noah Fernandez, only to concede a late equaliser in stoppage time. Édouard Michut finished off a Fortuna counter in the 92nd minute, earning the visitors their first point at the Philips Stadion in 26 years.
The champions dominated early but were sloppy, and Fortuna actually created the better chances. Ole Romeny had an early goal ruled out for offside, and PSV stopper Matej Kovár had to save his team after a mistake from Flamingo. Despite PSV’s huge possession share, Fortuna remained dangerous, while PSV’s best first‑half moment came when Ruben van Bommel headed Ivan Perišić’s corner onto the bar.
Just before the break, Flamingo’s misjudged header gifted Romeny a clear chance, and he calmly made it 0–1. Bosz made changes at half‑time, and ten minutes later Flamingo made amends by heading in a Perišić corner for 1–1. However, just before his goal, Fortuna keeper Mattijs Branderhorst was visibly held by his shirt by Paul Wanner. Referee Alex Bos allowed the goal nonetheless, and VAR official Martin van den Kerkhof saw no reason to intervene.
Fortuna’s issues worsened when they lost Lequincio Zeefuik to injury but showed resilience by still threatenining, with Kovár forced into another save from a deflected Mohamed Ihattaren effort. PSV eventually turned the game around in the 74th minute. A quick counter saw Alassane Pléa lose control of the ball, but Noah Fernandez arrived to lift it over Branderhorst for 2–1. That looked enough, until deep into injury time. Fortuna broke forward, Perišić failed to clear properly, and the ball fell to Michut. His shot took a slight touch off Perišić’s head and beat Kovár for 2–2.
PSV’s title defence begins with frustration; Fortuna leave Eindhoven with a deserved point.
AZ ALKMAAR 2–0 ADO DEN HAAG
AZ opened with a solid run of the mill 2–0 win over ADO Den Haag. The hosts created several chances before the break but only made the difference in the second half, with returning Calvin Stengs coming off the bench and playing a decisive role in both goals.
ADO started surprisingly brightly and within a minute, Daryl van Mieghem set up Evan Rottier, but his mishit effort was saved by AZ stopper Jari De Busser. AZ soon took control and pushed ADO back, creating chances through Wesley Patati, Dave Kwakman and Ro‑Zangelo Daal. The young full-back Elijah Dijkstra appeared to give AZ the lead after 22 minutes, but VAR ruled out the goal for a foul by Mexx Meerdink. Meerdink later forced a strong save from goalkeeper Kilian Nikiema, while Rottier hit the post at the other end, even though the play had already been stopped for handball.
After the break, AZ continued to dominate and ADO were limited to counter attacks. The breakthrough came just after the hour mark. Stengs, brought on in the 57th minute, helped launch an attack down the left, and Daal finished calmly for 1–0. Seven minutes later, AZ doubled their lead with Daal again caused problems on the flank, found midfielder Kees Smit, and he laid the ball off perfectly for Stengs to fire in the 2–0.
ADO tried to respond, but their best chance, a cross from the right, was missed by Eduardo and just out of reach for Illaijh De Ruijter. AZ saw out the match comfortably and began the season with three points, while ADO’s return to the Eredivisie started with defeat. For AZ, Stengs’ impact stood out. In just eleven minutes, he scored once and played a key part in the opener, an ideal showing on his return to Alkmaar.
SUNDAY 9TH AUGUST 2026
SPARTA ROTTERDAM 0–1 FEYENOORD
Feyenoord grafted in their 1-0 win at Het Kasteel, though their performance under returning manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst was far from polished. Luciano Valente, the newly appointed captain, scored the only goal in the Rotterdam derby.
Van Bronckhorst handed starts to three summer signings: goalkeeper Tjark Ernst, defender Mika Mármol (filling in at left‑back), and midfielder Charles Vanhoutte. Regulars Givairo Read, Anis Hadj Moussa, Ayase Ueda, and Gaoussou Diarra also featured. Sparta’s new coach Rogier Meijer relied on experience, including former Feyenoord players Bruno Martins Indi and Jens Toornstra, with Filip Bednarek in goal.
The match started brightly. Ayase Ueda, who looks to be on his way out of Rotterdam, headed wide early, Sparta keeper Filip Bednarek kept out a mis-hit cross from Diarra, and Hadj Moussa had a goal ruled out for offside. Sparta nearly struck first when Casper Terho capitalised on a mistake by Read, but he missed the one‑on‑one with Ernst.
The visitors controlled most of the first half without creating clear chances, until ten minutes before the break. Zechiël reached the byline and cut the ball back for Valente, who finished calmly. Feyenoord pushed for a second but couldn’t convert before the whistle.
Early in the second half, Ueda, Gjival Zechiël, Valente and Hadj Moussa all had chances to extend the lead, while Sparta’s Nökkvi Thórisson headed wide from a free opportunity. Feyenoord then suffered a few injury scares: Read briefly left the pitch, Diarra asked to be substituted, and Thijs Kraaijeveld looked uncomfortable. Van Bronckhorst made several changes, including debuts for Nacho Ferri and Tijme Wessels.
Sparta pushed late on and thought they had equalised when Milan Zonneveld scored from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside. In added time, Zonneveld and Mitchell van Bergen both missed chances, and another Zonneveld effort was disallowed for a foul. Despite a sloppy display, Feyenoord held on for the three points.
FC GRONINGEN 2–1 FC UTRECHT
Anthony Correia’s FC Utrecht debut ended in defeat at the Euroborg. The visitors arrived in Groningen missing several players, including Vasilis Barkas and Matisse Didden, while new striker Artem Stepanovs was still awaiting clearance. Michael Brouwer started in goal, Ferdinand Pohl debuted in defence, and David Min led the line due to limited options.
Groningen also had changes: Jorg Schreuders played at right‑back, Marco Rente partnered new captain Thijmen Blokzijl centrally, and Thom van Bergen started up front with new signing Pelle Clement on the left. Groningen struck first. After ten minutes, Brynjólfur Willumsson capitalised on a misplaced pass and finished calmly for 1–0. He nearly doubled the lead soon after, and both sides later had goals ruled out for offside.
Right after the break, Van Bergen made it 2–0 with a clever volley at the near post. Groningen stayed on top, though Willumsson’s next effort lacked power. Utrecht improved around the hour mark. The hosts keeper Etienne Vaessen saved a header from Mike Eerdhuijzen, and Correia made triple changes to spark life into his team. Angel Alarcón then missed a huge chance with the goal wide open, but Utrecht kept pushing.
Ten minutes from time, they finally pulled one back. Van den Berg broke through and squared for Adrian Blake, who finished for 2–1. Utrecht threatened again through Alarcón and Adrian Blake, but Vaessen held firm and Groningen survived the late pressure. Groningen take the points; Utrecht’s fightback falls just short.
PEC ZWOLLE 0–2 AJAX
Ajax’s 2–0 win over PEC Zwolle was overshadowed by Mika Godts’ late withdrawal from the starting lineup. The Belgian was announced in the starting line-up, completed the warm‑up, then reported physical overload and was benched as a precaution. His agent, Niels De Jonck, stressed the decision had nothing to do with ongoing talks with PSG. Then strangely, Godts later came on as a substitute.
Ajax gaffer Michel Sánchez made four changes from midweek, handing debuts to Caio Henrique and Marc ter Stegen but without Godts, Ajax lacked creativity and produced a flat first half. The underdogs created the best chance through Tobias Sommer, who was denied by Ter Stegen before half-time. The second half brought little improvement, with notably Youri Regeer, Steven Berghuis and Kasper Dolberg struggling to make an impact. Ajax only gained control after Sherel Floranus was sent off for a reckless challenge on Lucas Rosa on 57 minutes.
Michel turned to his new signings, bringing on Julian Brandt, Marcos Leonardo and Tolu Arokodare. Their introduction finally changed the tempo and within three minutes being on the pitch Arokodare’s strength allowed him to bring down a high ball and lay it off for Jorthy Mokio for 1-0. Deep into stoppage time, Ajax sealed the win when Brandt broke away and scored his first Eredivisie goal, assisted by Godts.
After the match, Godts explained his reduced role, saying he felt discomfort during the warm‑up and agreed with Michel to play only the final minutes if needed. He also addressed the PSG rumours, confirming talks exist but insisting his professionalism is unchanged and he will continue to play whenever Ajax need him.
Ajax left Zwolle with three points but the performance showed there is still plenty of work to do.
SC HEERENVEEN 1–0 FC TWENTE
SC Heerenveen edged FC Twente 1–0 thanks to Luca Oyen’s decisive strike, and coach Robin Veldman admitted afterwards that his side had to dig deep to secure the points. He felt the win was “especially physical,” noting that Twente’s late aerial bombardment made the closing stages difficult. With Wout Weghorst joined by Lucas Vennegoor of Hesselink and later Sam Lammers, Heerenveen were forced to defend wave after wave of crosses, a scenario Veldman said the staff had anticipated.
New signings Dirk Proper and Lanroy Machine started for Heerenveen, while Twente replaced the injured Daouda Weidmann with Thomas van den Belt. The first half at the Abe Lenstra Stadium produced chances for both sides but no goals. The breakthrough came seven minutes after the restart. Substitute Luca Oyen finished at the near post after Jacob Trenskow’s assist, beating Lars Unnerstall for 1–0. Twente pushed hard for an equaliser, especially in the final phase, but Heerenveen held firm to claim a hard‑earned victory.
NEC enter this afternoon’s match against Telstar as the far stronger and more complete side, even if their recent scoring form has dipped. Dick Schreuder’s team play front‑foot, attractive football and consistently create chances — the issue has simply been converting them. Across their last three fixtures (Elversberg and Sevilla in pre-season and Olympiakos in the midweek 0-0 Champions League qualifier), they scored only once, but the underlying performance levels remained high. Against a weaker opponent, that volume of chances is far more likely to translate into goals.
Telstar, by contrast, specialise in low‑scoring, conservative matches. Under new coach Henk Brugge, they are rebuilding their identity while operating on one of the smallest budgets in the league. Their squad contains a few promising pieces — Prince Aning being the standout — but overall they lack the depth, experience and attacking quality needed to trouble a side of NEC’s calibre. Most analysts expect Telstar to spend the season fighting at the bottom end of the table.
NEC, meanwhile, are riding a wave of momentum and ambition after last year’s remarkable third‑place finish. They’ve strengthened with elite leadership in Dušan Tadić, whose arrival has lifted the entire club. Nijmegen feels energised, confident and fully invested in a project that now includes Champions League qualifiers — a level Telstar simply cannot match.
Yes, NEC concede chances because of their aggressive style, but they also generate far more than they give away. Against top sides like Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV, they’ve shown they can rise to the occasion. Against a newly assembled Telstar defence, NEC’s attacking patterns, tempo and individual quality should be decisive.
Put simply: NEC create too much, Telstar offer too little, and the gap in squad strength, ambition and tactical cohesion is significant. Even if the scoreline stays modest — as Telstar often force — NEC have every reason to take all three points this afternoon.
PSV VS. FORTUNA SITTARD
PSV walk into this opener with something to prove. Last weekend’s 4–0 collapse in the Johan Cruyff Schaal was a shock to the system, especially at the Philips Stadion, and it guarantees a fierce reaction tonight. With Ajax and Feyenoord both well‑placed to start the season strongly, PSV simply cannot afford another stumble — the pressure to deliver a convincing home win is real.
The squad has also been strengthened by the arrival of Filip Kostić. At 33, he isn’t a long‑term project, but his experience in this league and his ability to guide younger attackers adds immediate value. PSV already possess one of the most efficient home attacks in Europe, and Kostić’s crossing and decision‑making only sharpen that edge. He will not feature today due to work permit issues.
The matchup itself heavily favours PSV. Their recent record against Fortuna is extraordinary: 19 goals in the last four meetings, an average of 4.75 per game. When PSV face Fortuna at home, the pattern is consistent — relentless pressure, high‑quality chances, and goals arriving in waves.
Fortuna Sittard, meanwhile, remain a club defined by limited resources and a narrow, first‑team‑focused structure. The new leadership under Joris Matthijs may stabilise the organisation, but on the pitch they still lack the firepower to threaten top‑six sides away from home. Losing Kai Sierhuis removes their most reliable striker, and the replacements — Liquin Josefaak and Descot — are unproven at Eredivisie level.
Defensively, Fortuna have pieces to admire, especially Branderhorst in goal and the pairing built around Ad Woy, but they are stepping into one of the most hostile away fixtures in the league. PSV’s tempo, movement and depth routinely overwhelm teams with Fortuna’s profile.
Danny Buis ensures Fortuna won’t collapse across a season, but this is exactly the type of match where his side struggle: away, under pressure, against elite attacking quality.
Everything points in one direction. PSV need a statement performance, they have the firepower to produce one, and Fortuna historically cannot cope with this level of intensity. The gap in quality, depth and attacking efficiency is simply too large. PSV winning by more than one goal is the logical expectation.
If you joining me with these selections, good luck.
⚽️ THE DUTCH DOUBLE NEC win/PSV – 1 💷 2pts Best Odds: 2.16 at Boyle Sports/Bet365
PSV’s latest signing, Kodai Sano, arrives from NEC Nijmegen with a reputation as one of Japan’s most technically gifted central midfielders. At just 5ft 9 inches tall, he may not fit the archetype of a physically imposing player, but his dynamism, intelligence, and technical precision make him a standout modern midfielder writes Will Burns.
When Sano was turning out for Fagiano Okayama in Japan’s second tier back in July 2023, few would have predicted his rapid rise. That was when NEC spotted his potential, and within three seasons in the Netherlands, he has evolved from a promising prospect into one of the division’s most complete midfielders.
Five years ago, a player of his profile — small, slight, and seemingly easy to knock off the ball — might have been overlooked by scouts. Yet modern football values dynamism and intelligence, and Sano embodies both.
PHYSICAL
Standing at 176 cm, Sano possesses a lean, athletic frame. While he lacks raw physical strength and can be eased off the ball, he compensates with excellent mobility, sharp acceleration, and the agility to skip past challenges. His quick feet allow him to retain possession in tight areas, and he rarely engages in aerial duels, preferring to dominate ground duels through speed, anticipation, and technique.
DEFENSIVE
Sano defends with real intent. He closes opponents down aggressively, blocks passing lanes, and forces rushed decisions. Although he isn’t dominant in shoulder‑to‑shoulder duels, his persistence makes him a constant disruptor.
He willingly tracks runners deep into his own defensive third and regularly drops in to support his full‑back. As a No. 8, he frequently intercepts passes through midfield, breaks up play, and immediately looks to launch counterattacks.
His defensive output is elite:
Most recoveries per game among Eredivisie midfielders (6.6)
Second in successful tackles (4.82)
Tackle success rate: 80%, outperforming 83% of midfielders in the league
Despite lacking size, he tackles with tenacity and never shies away from contact. His aggression and willingness to engage compensate for any limitations in strength, making him a highly effective defensive presence.
TECHNICAL
Sano blends flair with efficiency, pairing an immaculate first touch with a natural feel for space. He manipulates tight areas instinctively, shifting opponents with subtle body movements and releasing passes or shots cleanly off either foot.
His press resistance is outstanding. He turns away from pressure with sharp flicks, quick accelerations, and dribbling control that many wingers would envy. Under pressure he remains calm, reading opponents early and escaping crowded zones with maturity well beyond his age.
He adjusts tempo intelligently, understands when to slow the game or inject pace, and consistently makes the right decision in possession. His work rate is relentless, covering ground with intensity and purpose — a hallmark of many top Japanese midfielders.
Sano’s receiving technique is excellent, and he uses a wide range of movements to find space. He often drops deeper to link play but prefers holding width on the left when central areas are congested.
He is comfortable:
Receiving wide and driving inside
Combining quickly down the flank
Cutting in to deliver crosses
Reaching the byline to cross with his left foot
Operating in tight spaces with sharp footwork
Accelerating past defenders without relying solely on tricks
When he moves centrally, his composure stands out. He keeps possession smoothly and plays incisive short passes through midfield to create shooting opportunities.
ATTACKING
Sano is willing to attack the back post when crosses arrive, though he could make himself available even more often. He isn’t shy about shooting when space opens up on his right foot, but he still needs to improve his accuracy to consistently test goalkeepers.
His background as a winger gives him:
Good instincts for timing runs
Awareness of when to attack the box
Clean ball‑striking from range
Ability to threaten defenders and open space for teammates
PRESSING
In transition, Sano reacts quickly and carries the ball at good speed into the opposition half. After winning possession high up the pitch, he immediately looks to exploit space down the left, especially outside the opposition right‑back. He is equally dangerous when receiving centrally and playing forward passes into attacking zones.
His work rate after turnovers is outstanding. He presses relentlessly, scraps for loose balls, and shows strong determination to break up play whether operating centrally or out wide.
CONCLUSION
Kodai Sano is a modern midfielder in every sense: technically superb, tactically intelligent, relentlessly energetic, and capable of influencing games in multiple phases. His journey from Japan’s second division to PSV Eindhoven highlights his adaptability, resilience, and rapid development.
While he may not possess imposing physical strength, his mobility, intelligence, and tenacity more than compensate. PSV have secured a midfielder who can dictate rhythm, break pressure, progress play, and defend with intensity — a player whose ceiling remains high and whose trajectory continues to rise.
Last season’s Eredivisie campaign saw three sides tumble into the Eerste Divisie: FC Volendam slipped out via the playoffs, while NAC Breda and Heracles Almelo were automatically relegated after finishing 17th and 18th. Heracles ended on 19 points, Breda 29, and Volendam 32. The previous year, Almere City (22), RKC Waalwijk (25), and Willem II (26) went down — showing that any team failing to reach the 30‑point mark is in danger. Will Burns takes a deep dive into who might fall under that threshold this season.
WHO’S GONNA BE RELEGATED?
I think TELSTAR will go down this season and they are priced at 3.40 with Bet365.
Why do I think this about the side in 14th last season? Well, the club approaches the new season worryingly in full transition mode, reshaping both its technical staff and on‑field identity while bracing for a demanding fight for survival. The devastating personnel losses, especially the departure of manager Anthony Correia, now managing FC Utrecht, was a major blow, as the squad was specifically constructed to fit his unique tactical system.
Key departures have stripped away much of their stability. Guus Offerhaus, Tyrese Noslin and Danny Bakker have all moved on, and the Correia blueprint is unlikely to function as effectively under Henk Brugge’s new approach — especially given that last season’s success was widely viewed as an overachievement. They finished 14th with 37 points, pulling off shock wins over PSV home and away, but without another season of punching above their weight, their thin squad and limited quality make a drop back to the second tier a real possibility.
Financial constraints only deepen the challenge: Telstar operate on a modest budget and are routinely forced to gamble on hidden gems from amateur football or youth setups, leaving them at a clear disadvantage. Although they do have some pieces to work with. Portuguese forward Rui Mendes comes in from FC Groningen after strong experience with FC Emmen. Attacking left‑back Prince Aning, brought in from Borussia Dortmund II, looks like he could become a real breakout performer this season. There’s optimism around striker Sem van Duijn too — five goals in 14 matches last year, and he needed only 23 attempts to get them. Behind him is Milan Zonneveld, who chipped in with seven goals across 23 appearances in all competitions.
Pre‑season wasn’t kind: defeats to Almere City (2–1), Sparta Rotterdam (1–0) and Wolfsburg (3–1), with a chaotic 6–3 win over De Graafschap the lone bright spot. That run suggests defensive frailties remain, but they clearly have enough attacking threat to trouble teams. They open up their campaign with their first four away games looking tough: NEC, Ajax, Twente then AZ. With potentially zero points out of 12 from those games, they could be facing the south of the table early on, and it may be difficult to recover.
Bouncing back into the Eredivisie after a years’ absence, WILLEM II with a storyline shaped by resilience, renewed ambition, and a touch of unpredictability. It was a surprise promotion after starting last season in disastrous form but clawed their way back, ultimately earning their place through a dramatic play‑off run capped by a penalty shootout win over FC Volendam. Bet365 think this was a fluke and price them at a short 1.83.
Financially, they are in a stronger position than several fellow newcomers. Their resources give them a better chance of staying up than clubs like Cambuur, provided they invest wisely in the final stretch of the window. Not everything around the club has been smooth, though. During the play‑offs, head coach John Stegemann drew criticism for repeatedly complaining about the competition format, a stance the panel felt did little to enhance the club’s public image.
Even so, Willem II’s core identity remains intact. The team is still seen as a lively, welcoming club with an excellent stadium atmosphere — a place where supporters feel at home and where the Eredivisie feels just a bit more vibrant with their return.
It’s been three seasons since SC CAMBUUR (2.20 at Bet365) were in the Dutch top flight and I think they could be leaving again come May. They walk into the new season under heavy pressure and with a sense of vulnerability. Promotion wasn’t just a sporting goal — it was a financial necessity. Their new stadium, originally planned as a major step forward, became dramatically more expensive due to global instability, leaving the club in a difficult position where top‑flight survival is tied directly to economic stability.
Cambuur’s financial troubles have already hampered their ability to strengthen the squad — most notably, they were reportedly unable to meet the contract demands needed to keep standout performer Mark Diemers. Their promotion may have aligned perfectly with the stadium project, but sportively it came at the worst possible moment: they simply don’t have the resources to build a squad capable of competing at Eredivisie level.
On the pitch, the warning signs are even more glaring. Questions around leadership and long‑term direction persist, and it really seems to be if they did stay up it would require something bordering on a freak, against‑all‑logic escape. Although whether they have enough scoring power to give themselves a chance is highly debatable.
Three players have arrived from Ajax: 20‑year‑old striker Skye Vink and 19‑year‑old left‑back Lucas Jetten signed on permanent deals while 20‑year‑old midfielder Ryan van de Pavert on loan. Vink is viewed as a promising forward with the ambition to become a starter, though there are genuine doubts about whether he can deliver the 10–12 goals usually required to help a newly promoted side survive. Jetten, an attacking left‑back with 60 Eerste Divisie appearances for Jong Ajax, will see this move as his chance to prove himself at a higher level. Van de Pavert adds further potential in midfield, arriving as a developing central option with room to grow.
The coaching structure is identified as a potential source of unrest. Johan Plat is the head coach, but club icon Henk de Jong serves as his assistant. I think this could create a difficult environment for Plat. If the team loses a few matches, and sit drop the bottom of the league, the supporters will likely immediately begin calling for De Jong to take over, making it nearly impossible for Plat to establish his own authority.
Yet amid the pessimism, the new stadium itself as it will be a fantastic addition to the league, and that Saturday‑night home matches should still yield points thanks to the atmosphere and energy it brings. Cambuur may face one of the toughest battles in the division, but their home ground could offer just enough spark to keep the fight alive.
🇳🇱EREDIVISIE – TO BE RELEGATED🇳🇱
⚽Telstar to be Relegated 💷1pt Best Odds: 3.40 at Bet365
Tues 4th August – 19:00 BST UEFA Champions League Olympiakos vs. N.E.C.
N.E.C. Nijmegen head into uncharted territory on Tuesday evening as they embark on the biggest adventure in their club’s history. For the first time ever, the Nijmegen side have reached the Champions League qualifiers, and their debut comes against one of Europe’s seasoned competitors.
Olympiakos are not only vastly experienced, with 374 European matches in their history, but also reached the first knockout round of last season’s Champions League. Backed by one of the most intimidating atmospheres on the continent, the Greek giants will look to their fortress, the Karaiskakis Stadium, as Dick Schreuder’s men arrive with aim to cause a shock writes Will Burns.
Olympiakos
The preparation heading into this one, has been far from perfect for coach José Luis Mendilibar and his side’s pre-season has been far from perfect. They began their warm-up programme with two wins and a draw, but momentum quickly evaporated as they slipped into three consecutive defeats — including losses to Eredivisie sides Ajax and AZ Alkmaar. The 3–2 defeat to AZ did end an 180‑minute goal drought so at least they have that to be thankful for.
The worrying thing for the Greek has been their obvious defensive fragility. Even in their victories over Rakow (2–1) and Fortuna Sittard (3–1), and the draw with Leuven (1–1), they leaked goals. They failed to keep a single clean sheet throughout pre-season, leaving their back line looking vulnerable ahead of the NEC visit. For a club with ambitions of returning to the Champions League group stage, this is a concern that cannot be ignored.
Last season, Olympiakos scraped through the group phase on the final match day at Ajax’s expense before falling to Bayer Leverkusen in the first knockout round. The expectation internally is clear: reaching the group stage again is the minimum requirement. This two‑legged tie marks the first step in that mission, and facing opponents with no prior experience at this level only heightens the pressure on the Greek side to deliver.
In terms of personnel, Olympiacos wrapped up their preparations knowing that Mendilibar will be without Santiago Esse, who remains sidelined through injury and did not train, while Lorenzo Scipioni has recovered and is available for selection.
Other absences from the squad is Giorgos Masouras. The Greek international, who had been expected to depart for Saudi Arabia, has not been registered for the qualifiers. Mendilibar had used Masouras as a central attacking option during pre‑season, and with Roman Yaremchuk, Mehdi Taremi and Clayton all omitted from the squad. Moroccan international Ayoub El Kaabi stands as the only recognised striker available for the opening leg.
NEC Nijmegen
It seems like an eternity when NEC’s celebrated a remarkable their best ever finish in third last season in the Eredivisie. Their pre-season results ahead of their European debut have been mixed at best. Schreuder’s side won just two of their seven warm-up matches, losing four, including back-to-back defeats to Elversberg and Sevilla. Their final test before travelling to Greece ended in disappointment at a sold-out Goffertstadion, highlighting the inconsistency that has lingered throughout the summer.
What has remained constant, however, is NEC’s attacking identity. Schreuder’s men conceded in all seven friendlies and scored in six, mirroring the high-risk equals high-reward style that defined their last years’ Eredivisie campaign. With 77 league goals, NEC were the second-most prolific side in the division behind PSV Eindhoven (101), but their 53 goals conceded were the highest among the top three — a stark contrast to PSV (45) and second place Feyenoord (44).
This blend of front-footed football and defensive openness was central to NEC’s historic rise, and there is little indication that Schreuder plans to abandon it now. Their pre-season performances suggest that the Nijmegen outfit will carry that same approach into the new campaign, likely guaranteeing entertainment — and opportunities — at both ends of the pitch in Piraeus.
NEC’s squad, however, is not at full strength. Vito van Crooij, Koki Ogawa, Perr Schuurs, Willum Thor Willumsson, Adam Tahaui and Yassin Moslih are either injured or not included in the squad for the first leg. Ogawa’s absence is particularly notable after his eight-goal Eredivisie season. Even so, NEC can still call upon the experienced duo of Tjaronn Chery and Bryan Linssen, who combined for 21 league goals last term and remain key figures in Schreuder’s attacking setup.
During Monday’s press conference, Schreuder confirmed that starting centre‑back Philipp Sandler is fit to play on Tuesday. Sandler trained normally at the Faliraki Stadium and is expected to start. Schreuder also made clear that he did not attend any of Olympiacos’ pre‑season friendlies in the Netherlands, downplaying their relevance: “Friendlies mean nothing. When the real games begin, a team like this performs. That also depends on the coach. We know it’s going to be a difficult night.”
NEC were represented by Surinamese midfielder Tjaronn Chery, who famously scored in Maccabi Haifa’s 4–0 win over Olympiacos in Piraeus back in 2022. Chery spoke positively about the occasion: “It’s great to be playing in the Champions League qualifiers. We had a good season and we deserve to be here. Nervous? No, we’re looking forward to it. I’ve never suffered from anxiety, but everyone handles it differently.”
As reported by the Dutch media, around 1,300 supporters have travelled to Greece — eager to witness their club’s first European match in 17 years.
Analysis
So yes, both sides enter this tie with defensive concerns. Olympiakos have struggled to keep opponents out throughout pre-season, while NEC’s open, attacking style naturally leaves gaps that stronger sides can exploit. This combination points toward a match where chances should appear at both ends.
Olympiakos hold the clear advantage in European experience and will be buoyed by a home crowd known for its intensity. The Karaiskakis Stadium has long been one of Europe’s most hostile venues, and NEC’s players will be stepping into an environment unlike anything they have faced before.
NEC’s absences further tilt the balance toward the hosts, but Schreuder’s side have shown repeatedly that they can score against stronger opposition. Their unpredictability, both positive and negative, makes them a dangerous opponent in early qualifying rounds, where rhythm and sharpness are often still developing.
Prediction
Olympiakos go into the first leg as deserved favourites, backed by their European pedigree, home advantage and the expectation that comes with playing in one of the continent’s most intimidating stadiums. NEC, however, carry enough attacking threat — and Olympiakos have shown enough defensive vulnerability — to suggest this tie could be far more competitive than the gap in experience implies. A high‑tempo, open contest feels likely, with chances at both ends.
Both Teams to Score with an Olympiakos win looks an excellent angle at 3.25 with Bet365, and it’s the outcome that makes the most sense based on both sides’ profiles. From NEC’s perspective, keeping the scoreline to something manageable — a 2–1 or even a 3–2 — would give them a genuine opportunity to turn the tie around back in Nijmegen next week.
⚽️ BET: Olympiakos to win & Both Teams to Score 💷 1pt Best Odds: 3.25 at Bet365
Here is round two of our Eredivisie Team of the Week which leads into our 2016/17 Eredivisie ‘Player of the Season’ competition. All players have performed so well this weekend that Will Burns has selected them in the team of the week. Each player in the eleven receives one point and whichever player is declared ‘Player of the Week’, he receives an extra point.
GOALKEEPER
ERNESTAS SETKUS – ADO DEN HAAG: ADO’s new stopper denied Vitesse time and time again in his side’s 2-1 away win on Saturday.
DEFENDERS
MICHEL BREUER – SPARTA ROTTERDAM: The 35 year old led well from the back and his performance was imperative in Sparta’s emphatic 3-0 win over PEC Zwolle.
RON VLAAR – AZ ALKMAAR: PSV could have destroyed his side if it was not for Vlaar’s determination and communication at the back.
HECTOR MORENO – PSV: Not only did he hold the PSV defence together he notched the only goal of the game in the 1-0 win.
JURGEN MATTHEIJ – EXCELSIOR: A surprise to be making the team of the week but scored against the poor Groningen side and held strong against anything they could throw at him.
MIDFIELDERS
LORIS BROGNO – SPARTA ROTTERDAM: Claimed a brace in the unlikely 3-0 win over PEC Zwolle.
JENS TOORNSTRA – FEYENOORD: The midfielder bagged a goal and ran the show for the Feyenoord attacks in their 2-0 win over Twente.
ANDRES GUARDADO – PSV: The Mexican ran the show and his creativity should have produced more goals for PSV in their 1-0 win against AZ.
ATTACKERS
KASPER DOLBERG – AJAX: The 18 year old Dane that does not play like a teenager. Notched twice against Roda but his teammates let him down in the 2-2 draw – PLAYER OF THE WEEK.
KEVIN MAYI – NEC: The French striker scores a goal on his home debut that clinched a vital point in the 2-2 draw.
CRAIG GOODWIN – SPARTA ROTTERDAM: Excellent performance capped off with a goal for the new Sparta man.
Vitesse missed the chance to jump in to second place as Peter Bosz’s men and Marco van Basten’s Heerenveen shared the points in a hard-fought 2-2 draw in a great game in the GelreDome.
Van Basten gave 18-year-old winger Daley Sinkgraven his first start in the same week the players signed new contract with the club replacing Rajiv Van la Parra who was left out of the matchday squad for disciplinary reasons.
The first real chance of the game came when Zakaria Labyad forced a save from Kristoffer Nordfeldt on 15 minutes, and Valeri Qazaishvili lashed the rebound towards goal but his effort was blasted just wide of the post.
On the half hour, Mike Havenaar notched his tenth of the season after Ronald Achenteh found him free at the back post, and the Japanese striker arrived to tap home.
Heerenveen nearly had the perfect response a minute later when Bilal Basacikoglu surged forward down the left and swung a ball into the area for Hakim Ziyech but Piet Velthuizen pulled off a great stop to preserve his side’s lead. Opposition goalkeeper Nordfeldt was called into action moments later at the other end when Chelsea’s on-loan full-back Patrick van Aanholt smashed a low left foot drive but the big Swede got down to protect his net.
The visitors got the levelling goal through the Icelandic hitman Alfred Finnbogason with a superb goal. Joey van den Berg played the ball into the striker’s feet on the edge of the area, the Eredivisie top scorer strongly held off the challenge of Jan-Arie Van der Heijden, kept his composure and fire into the goal.
After the half-time team talks, Bertrand Traoré replaced Havenaar after the Vitesse goalscorer had fallen awkwardly on his ankle midway through in the first half.
The visitors grabbed the lead just before the hour mark after some great work from young substitute Joost van Aken, after being one the pitch for less than two minutes. The left-back surged down the wing and beat Achenteh to cross in for Bilal Basacikoglu to rise above Van Aanholt to head past Velthuizen.
Another substitute brought the hosts back level, Chelsea midfielder Bertrand Traoré with a great finish in the 67th minute after being put through on goal by fellow Chelsea team-mate Christian Atsu.
Both sides pressed for the winning goal but both keepers saved their team. At first, Finnbogason looked certain to score ten minute from time but Velthuizen got in front of the striker’s close range effort. Meanwhile, with just a minute remaining, Nordfeldt had to tip over a Traore free-kick.
The draw helped neither team although Vitesse move up into second at the expense of PSV as Heerenveen stay in sixth.
TEAMS
VITESSE:Velthuizen, Achenteh (Vejinovic 82), Mori, Van der Heijden, Van Aanholt, Pröpper, Qazaishvili, Labyad, Atsu (Djurdjevic 73), Havenaar (Traoré 46), Piazón.
SUBS NOT USED: Room, Bosz, Metalsi.
GOALS: Havenaar 31, Traoré 67.
BOOKINGS: Qazaishvili 61, Mori 84.
HEERENVEEN:Nordfeldt, Marzo, Kum, Kruiswijk, Raitala (Van Aken 56), Van Anholt, Van den Berg, Sinkgraven, Ziyech (Slagveer 90+1), Finnbogason, Basacikoglu.
SUBS NOT USED: Vandenbussche, Otigba, De Kamps, Fazli.
GOALS: Finnbogason 39, Basacikoglu 58.
BOOKINGS: Raitala 44, Van Anholt 72, Ziyech 86, Van Aken 88.
NEC 1-2 HERACLES
The already relegation threatened NEC Nijmegen suffered a last minute defeat to ten man Heracles to stay four points adrift of safety but have played more games than all the other clubs in the relegation battle.
The hosts opened the scoring on 20 minutes as Englishman Michael Higdon notched goal number fourteen of the Eredivisie campaign. Higdon skipped past Heracles keeper Remko Pasveer to finish into the vacant goal.
The equaliser did not arrive until the 80th minute with Australian Jason Davidson making the NEC Nijmegen pay for not clearing a cross. A few minutes later, the visitors were down to ten men as Mike te Wierek was shown his second yellow card by referee Kevin Blom for a bad tackle on Søren Rieks.
With the game heading to a draw, Heracles substitutes Matthew Amoah and Iliass Ben Hassini combining to steal the points. Ben Hassini whipped in a ball to the back post and Amoah was on hand to nod the ball past Dennis Gentenaar in goal.
Heracles have climbed up to tenth in the league standings with the positive results, however for NEC, it’s looking highly likely that the Nijmegen side will be at least participating in the relegation playoffs come the end of April.
SUBS NOT USED: Telgenkamp, Koenders, Cziommer, Belterman.
GOALS: Davidson 79, Amoah 90+5.
BOOKINGS: Linssen 62, Te Wierik 74, Quansah 85.
SENT OFF: Te Wierek 83.
PSV 2-3 FC GRONINGEN
After an eight-game winning streak, PSV Eindhoven were defeated for only second time this season at the Philips Stadion, 3-2 by FC Groningen.
With Philip Cocu sidelined for the rest of the season after an operation midweek to remove a benign tumour from his back, his assistant Ernest Faber led the PSV team out for the first time. The team were boosted with Georginio Wijnaldum’s return as he had been out of action since September with a back injury.
PSV exploded out of the blocks and made Groningen pay for a defensive error within the first two minutes. After Maikel Kieftenbeld had gave the ball away, goalkeeper Marco Bizot rushed out to punch the ball away from Jürgen Locadia’s path, the quick thinking masked-man Memphis Depay acrobatically chipped the ball towards goal from outside of the box to make it 1-0.
Two quick fire goals not only got Groningen back in the game but saw them take the lead.After a good run from Filip Kostic on 18 minutes, the Serbian rolled the back to Richairo Zivkovic inside the six-yard box for the youngster to tap home his eighth goal of the season.
In the 20th minute, Filip Kostic robbed PSV defender Karim Rekik of the ball in his own area and fired past Jeroen Zoet to make it 2-1 with two goals in two minutes. The Philips Stadion and the PSV players were shell shocked.
The scores were level at the half-time break as PSV were handed a lifeline on 37 minutes. Bryan Ruiz earned his side a penalty and Jürgen Locadia sent the spot-kick low to Bizot’s right and into the bottom corner to make it 2-2.
However, PSV did not go onto to win the game even though they boasted much the possession and only 64 minutes, Tjaronn Chery hit a free-kick that missed everyone and nestled into Zoet’s goal to give his side the three points.
As Edwin van de Looi and Groningen celebrated, PSV sulked as this was a bitter blow to their chances of Champions League qualification for next season.
Three clubs in Dutch football are in poor financial shape, the KNVB announced on Wednesday morning. Based on their interim results, ADO Den Haag, Fortuna Sittard and FC Emmen are listed in Category 1.
Clubs listed in Category 1 must work on their financial recovery and gain Category 2 status within three years. The KNVB will investigate each case and set-up a plan to clean up each club’s financial difficulties.
The report, compared with earlier this year, is a vast improvement. In January, five clubs were listed in Category 1 and were put under scrutiny by the organisation. Helmond Sport and FC Dordrecht were then also listed as being in financial danger but the clubs reported last month to now being classed in the second category. The now-defunct SC Veendam, who went bankrupt last month, is removed from the list, while FC Emmen have dropped into Category 1 from the last report.
Mark Boetekees, who is responsible for the KNVB report is pleased with the progress. “It’s good to see that clubs now realise that a good and consistent financial policy is important. They must continue to work on financial recovery to ensure that their future is secure.”
In total they are 23 of the 34 professional clubs in the safe category 2. These are: AZ, FC Den Bosch, SC Cambuur, FC Dordrecht FC Eindhoven, Excelsior, Feyenoord, De Graafschap, Helmond Sport Heracles Almelo, MVV Maastricht, NAC Breda, NEC, RKC Waalwijk Roda JC, Sparta Rotterdam, Telstar, FC Twente, FC Utrecht, Vitesse, VVV-Venlo, Willem II and PEC Zwolle.
Eight clubs are in excellent financial condition and are listed in Category 3: Ajax, Almere City FC, Go Ahead Eagles, FC Groningen, Heerenveen, FC Oss, PSV and FC Volendam.
All clubs have to submit their figures to the federation for the year 2013/14 by the next financial assessment, which will be on June 15.
Frank de Boer’s Ajax resumed their place at the top of the pile at home to Heracles and Marco van Basten’s Heerenveen was defeated by Groningen to end a four-game winning streak.
Jens Toornstra scores against his former club ADO
FC Utrecht 1 (Toornstra 71)
ADO Den Haag 0
The sun was shining in Utrecht this afternoon, the match between Utrecht and ADO did not. It was a poor contest narrowly won by a 71st minute Jens Toornstra strike, against his old club. Both goalkeepers were hardly tested throughout, but unfortunately for Utrecht stopper Robbin Ruiter went down with a groin injury that looked serious and he may be absent for some time.
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Bacuna hits home the penalty in Groningen’s 3-1 win
FC Groningen 3 (Raitala 3OG, Bacuna 42P, de Leeuw 87)
Heerenveen 1 (Mareček 70)
Marco van Basten’s Heerenveen side made the worst possible start when Finnish defender Jukka Raitala put through his own net after three minutes, before a Leandro Bacuna spot-kick three minutes before the break extended their advantage. Substitute Lukas Mareček pulled a goal back in the 70th minute but midfielder Michael De Leeuw overhead kick in the penalty area cemented the win for Groningen with three minutes left.
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NEC Nijmegen 1 (Conboy 19)
AZ Alkmaar 1 (Maher 17)
After four straight losses for NEC a well deserved draw at home to relegation threatened AZ was a welcome result. Hot property Adam Maher, rumoured to leave AZ in the summer, scored a lovely solo effort on 17 minutes from outside the box to fire past Gabor Babos in goal. Two minutes later, NEC were level with Kevin Conboy hit a wonderful curling free-kick straight home. NEC got themselves in trouble on the hour when Nick van der Velden stupidaly kicked out at Giliano Wijnaldum. AZ had a golden opportunity spurned to take all three points in injury time when Aron Jóhannsson hit his shot straight into the arms of Babos.
League leaders Ajax are now back to three points ahead of PSV and Vitesse has they turned over Heracles Almelo 4-0 although having just ten men for the majority of the game. Ajax’s Danish midfielder Lasse Schöne gave them an early lead after 13 minutes after a one-two with Kolbeinn Sigþórsson.
Heracles did come back into the game without scoring a goal but forced enough pressure on Kenneth Vermeer, so much so that he found himself having an early bath. The pacey Geoffrey Castillion outpaced Toby Alderweireld and was through on goal but Vermeer rushed out and brought the striker down on the edge of the box. On 48 minutes, Vermeer was sent off immediately and he will now miss Ajax’s crunch title clash with PSV next weekend.
Ajax did not panic and found themselves two goals to the good four minutes later. Icelandic striker Sigþórsson smashed a close range shot against the crossbar and latched on the rebound for 2-0. On 75 minutes, Ryan Babel smashed home a Schöne cross and Christian Eriksen finished the rout six minutes from time.
The title looks to be heading to Amsterdam once again as Ajax take pole position with a thumping 4-1 win at home to NEC Nijmegen. Second placed PSV Eindhoven were held to a 2-2 draw away to relegation threatened Roda JC. Also, Ivorian hitman Wilfried ‘Daddy Cool’ Bony was on the scoresheet yet again as Vitesse climbed to third position with a win over PEC Zwolle.
Despair – PSV dropped two precious points on Sunday
Roda JC 2 (Demouge 13, Malki 87)
PSV Eindhoven 2 (Toivonen 19, 33)
PSV dropped a precious two points in the title race after a 2-2 draw with Roda JC in Kerkrade on Sunday afternoon. Swedish forward Ola Toivonen hit a first-half double as PSV came from behind after on-loan striker Frank Demouge’s (from League One side Bournemouth) early opener. With three minutes remaining, Syrian international Senharib Malki scored a dramatic equaliser to salvage a point for the hosts.
PSV were the better team in the first 45 minutes, but against the run of play, conceded a goal in the 13th minute. Demouge rose high above his marker to produce a glancing header from Mark-Jan Fledderus’ corner, scoring the opener for Ruud Brood’s team from their first meaningful chance. However, it was a short-lived lead for Roda, just six minutes later PSV drew level, when Toivonen headed home at the far post. PSV enjoyed most possession of the ball and attacking pair Memphis Depay and Jermain Lens had chances to put PSV ahead. Dick Advocaat’s team deservedly took the lead in the 33rd minute, after veteran Mark van Bommel delivered a fine cross from the right. Jeremain Lens just could not connect but Toivonen was on hand to tap home from close range for his second goal.
Roda keeper Kurto quickly left his line to deny Tim Matavz and minutes later the Slovenian striker, with only the keeper to beat, sent an effort just wide of the post. Disaster struck for PSV late in the goal, when Malki scored the dramatic leveller, putting away Mikołaj Lebedyński’s flick on.
HIGHLIGHTS (in Dutch)
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Daddy Cool – Wilfried Bony celebrating his 27th goal of the Eredivisie
Vitesse Arnhem 2 (Bony 9, Havenaar 35)
PEC Zwolle 1 (Valpoort 78)
PSV’s slip allowed Vitesse Arnhem to draw level in second place as they extended their winning run to six games with a 2-1 win over PEC Zwolle at the Gelredome. Hot property Wilfried Bony and Mike Havenaar fired them 2-0 by the break with Zwolle’s sole reply coming via Arsenio Valpoort with 12 minutes left. Bony opened the scoring after after good work by Ecuadorean Renato Ibarra just nine minutes capitalising on a mistake from Zwolle defence. It was shortly 2-0 in the 35th minute, Theo Janssen swung in a flawless free-kick to find the rising Havenaar to double the lead. Zwolle got a late consolation from young loanee winger Valpoort (from Heerenveen) and Theo Janssen gained a 93rd minute yellow card for jawjacking with the referee. He is now suspended for the next weekend’s game, at home against NAC Breda.
Erwin Koeman’s was delighed as his RKC Waalwijk side grabbed three much needed points completely outplaying ADO Den Haag to win 4-0, and to edge away from the relegation places. All four goals were a comedy of errors for team from The Hague but the result was no laughing matter. Mart Lieder got the ball rolling on ten minutes before a Vito Wormgoor own goal and Robert Braber’s goal shortly before half-time all but settled the match. Henrico Drost put the icing on the cake two minutes before time.
“Today, we had an aggressive attacking forward play and finished our chances,” Koeman told Eredivisie Live . “We were passionate and we deserved to win. We came in at half-time at 3-0, which was of course was delightful. I think we have done well. “
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He’s off – Thomas Lam shown his marching orders
Heracles 1 (te Wierik 43)
AZ Alkmaar 2 (Henriksen 22, te Wierik 24OG)
AZ Alkmaar grabbed a much-needed win 2-1 at Heracles Almelo despite playing with ten men for almost an hour. Markus Henriksen’s 22nd-minute opener was followed by a Mike te Wierik own goal two minutes later to give AZ a 2-0 lead. Thomas Lam saw red on the hour but Heracles were only able to pull a single goal back when Te Wierik made up for his earlier blunder with a 43rd-minute goal.
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Delight – Fischer feels the Amsterdam Arena’s appreciation after scoring Ajax’s third
Ajax 4 (Fischer 21, 77, van Ejiden 25OG, Babel 81)
NEC 1 (van der Velden 78)
Ajax moved three points clear at the top of the table with a 4-1 win over NEC Nijmegen, Sunday evening at the Amsterdam Arena. Viktor Fischer scoring his first goal since February, made it 1-0 on 21 minutes before a Rens Van Eijden own goal gave Ajax full control. Fischer’s second on 77 minutes was quickly nullified by a Nick Van der Velden goal but substitute Ryan Babel scored nine minutes from the end to ensure a wide-margin win.
Ajax dominating from the kick-off, opened the scoring with Danish youngster Fischer coolly finishing past NEC’s Hungarian goalkeeper Gábor Babos after impressive build up play by Lasse Schone and Siem de Jong. The lead was doubled just four minutes later thanks to an own goal from van Eijden trying to clear a Christian Eriksen cross-cum-shot.
The exciting Fischer extended Ajax’s lead further on 77 minutes with a delightful chip from the edge of the box. After recieving the ball from Eriksen, he spotted Babos off his line and the Dane delicately slipped his foot under the ball and glided it home into the top corner to get the crowd on their feet. NEC hit back right after play resumed with Nick van der Velden scoring after a fine pass from Victor Palsson to reduce the defecit. It only lasted three minutes as Ajax regained their three-goal advantage when substitute Ryan Babel added the fourth on 81 minutes.
Ajax now lay three points clear at the top of the pile but Frank de Boer knows that just one slip up could let PSV or Vitesse over take them.
