Gertjan Verbeek’s side would be gunning to bag maximum points against Phillip Cocu’s men in order to close in on the league leaders Ajax Amsterdam.
In round-30 of the Dutch top flight, PSV Eindhoven will lock horns against AZ Alkmaar at Philips Stadion on Saturday, April 14. It will be an intriguing battle between the two Dutch giants in a match that will prove to be crucial in the race for the Eredivisie
title and European football.
PSV Eindhoven
Coming on the back of a demoralising 2-1 defeat at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/RKC-Waalwijk-c40370, the Eindhoven giants would be gunning to make amends for their mid-week defeat.
PSV are currently sitting at the fifth spot on the league table, seven points behind the league leaders, Ajax Amsterdam. With 15 points left to play for before the end of the ongoing 2011/12 season, their hopes of lifting the the Eredivisie title seem to
be a distant dream.
However, the Boeren would be keen to bag maximum points in the remaining games to enhance their chances of finishing at the second spot and play in UEFA Champions League next term.
AZ Alkmaar
The Alkmaar outfit failed to hold on to their lead against FC Twente and dropped two crucial points, as the match ended in a 2-2 stalemate.
Occupying the second spot on the Eredivisie table, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 are mere three points behind the table-toppers, Ajax. The Alkmaar outfit still have a chance of becoming Dutch champions at the end of the season. However, their fate largely lies in the hands of the
Amsterdammers.
Gertjan Verbeek, the AZ head coach, would be hoping that the league leaders drop points and his side manages to claim good results in the remaining weeks to lift the title.
Head-to-Head statistics
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/PSV-c40281 have secured superior results in their last five fixtures against the Alkmaar outfit. The Eindhoven giants managed to win three matches. AZ, on the other hand, secured all three points only once. The remaining game ended in a stalemate.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ola-Toivonen-c28363 – PSV Eindhoven
The Swedish ace is one of his side's most threatening players, especially with his impressive long range strikes and ability to win high balls in the box. Although he had a poor outing in his side’s mid-week 2-1 loss against RKC, he would be keen to make
amends at home and help his side in bagging all three points.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jozy-Altidore-c19634 – AZ Alkmaar
The American International encountered problems earlier this season adjusting to the Dutch style of play. However, it seems like the powerful striker has found his feet. The 22-year-old netted a brace in his side’s mid-week 2-2 draw against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Twente-c39233, and
will be eager to add more to his tally of 13 Eredivisie goals.
Prediction
Both sides would be gunning to bag all three points in order to keep their title hopes alive, which will certainly make it a fiercely contested game. AZ have failed to claim good results in the recent weeks, and PSV’s home advantage – losing only once at
Philips Stadion this term – puts them as favourites to emerge victorious.
Predicted final score: PSV 3-2 AZ.
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