PSV Eindhoven and Ajax will momentarily put aside their Eredivisie title battle when they lock horns in the final of the KNVB Beker in Rotterdam on Sunday afternoon.
While Ajax will be looking to win the competition for the third time in four seasons, PSV will be competing in the final for the first time in nine years.
PSV’s 15-game unbeaten run across all competitions came to an end in the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final on Thursday when they were beaten 2-1 at home against Leicester City, losing by the same scoreline on aggregate.
Israeli veteran Eran Zahavi scored his 17th goal of the season just before the half-hour mark to put the hosts in front, but two late second-half goals from James Maddison and Ricardo Pereira turned the game on its head and helped the Foxes advance to the last four.
Although PSV will be disappointed to have not reached the semi-finals, Roger Schmidt’s men are now just one game away from lifting domestic silverware, and this weekend they will be vying to get their hands on the KNVB Beker for the first time since 2011-12.
PSV have already beaten Sunday’s opponents Ajax in a domestic final this season, when they cruised to a 4-0 victory in the Dutch Super Cup back in August, with Noni Madueke (2), Yorbe Vertessen and Mario Gotze all on the scoresheet.
Schmidt’s side, however, have since lost back-to-back games against Ajax in the Eredivisie, suffering a heavy 5-0 away defeat in October before losing 2-1 on home soil in January.
PSV have beaten Fortuna Sittard, Telstar, NAC Breda and Go Ahead Eagles on their route to the final, scoring at least twice on each occasion, but their biggest challenge will come this weekend as this will be their first match in the competition when they head in as the underdogs.
Ajax head into Sunday’s final after winning six of their last seven games across all competitions, including a slender 2-1 league win at home against Sparta Rotterdam last weekend.
Joeri de Kamps gave Sparta a surprise lead midway through the first half, but a strike from Davy Klaassen just four minutes after the break restored parity for the hosts, before Dusan Tadic converted from the penalty spot just after the hour mark, netting his 15th goal of the season, to hand Ajax all three points.
De Godenzonen remain in the driving seat to clinch their 28th Eredivisie title as they are still sitting at the top of the table, four points clear of PSV in second place with only five league games remaining.
While speculation remains rife regarding the future of head coach Erik ten Hag, who could reportedly be announced as the new Manchester United boss for next season after this weekend’s final, the 52-year-old and his squad will be fully focussed on retaining their KNVB Beker crown.
The Dutch giants have enjoyed a comfortable route to this year’s final, beating Barendrecht, Excelcior Maassluis, Vitesse and AZ Alkmaar by a combined scoreline of 20-0.
Ajax have only won the competition three times in the last 12 years, including twice in the last three seasons, but they will be confident of success on Sunday as they have only lost one of their last 10 meetings against PSV across all tournaments.
PSV Eindhoven KNVB Beker form:
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PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions):
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Ajax KNVB Beker form:
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Ajax form (all competitions):
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We say: PSV Eindhoven 1-3 Ajax
With both PSV and Ajax looking vulnerable in defence in recent weeks, goals are to be expected this weekend. Five of the last six meetings between these two sides have seen at least three goals scored.
Another thrilling showdown between arguably the two strongest Dutch sides at present is set to take place, but considering the success that Ajax have recently had over PSV, we can see Ten Hag’s men outscoring their opponents and retaining their crown.