Highlighted: Early-Season Showdown PSV vs Ajax
After the fireworks of N.E.C. v PSV, the Eredivisie serves up another heavyweight clash this Sunday as PSV host Ajax in Eindhoven. Last season’s top two are once again neck and neck in the table — and this could be the first real statement game of the campaign.
Both clubs suffered disappointment in midweek, losing their opening fixtures in the UEFA Champions League. That only raises the stakes: it may still be early in the season, but the champions and the record title-holders are already sharpening their knives. Remarkably, after just five league matches, the country’s two biggest sides are meeting. The last time PSV and Ajax faced each other this early was back on 23 September 2018, when PSV stormed to a 3-0 win.
PSV v Ajax, 23 September 2018. Hirving Lozano celebrates the 3-0 with Steven Bergwijn and Luuk de Jong (PSV).
Ajax took both meetings last season, equalling the total of their previous eleven encounters combined (three draws, six defeats). If the Amsterdammers win again on Sunday, they’ll string together three straight victories over PSV for the first time since 1972–73.
PSV v Ajax, 30 March 2025. Davy Klaassen celebrates the 0-1 with Lucas Rosa, Kenneth Taylor and Steven Berghuis (Ajax).
It won’t be straightforward. PSV have already scored 17 goals, joint-most in the league alongside N.E.C., while Ajax are still waiting for their first away win. They’ve opened with two draws on the road, and this century they’ve only endured longer droughts three times: 2008/09 (three games), 2013/14 (five) and 2023/24 (six).
Defensively, PSV remain vulnerable. They’ve allowed 73 shots in their first five league games — only six Eredivisie teams have conceded more. Under Peter Bosz, those numbers were much lower: 28 shots after five games last season, and 41 the year before. Not since 2014/15 (88) have PSV faced so many attempts at this stage. The result? Eight goals conceded, as many as relegation-threatened sc Heerenveen, and their worst defensive start since 2009/10.
| PSV after 5 league games (since 2010/11) | Shots faced |
|---|---|
|
2014/15 |
88 |
|
2025/26 |
73 |
|
2017/18 |
67 |
|
2013/14 |
62 |
|
2020/21 |
58 |
The midweek trip to Union Saint-Gilloise only added to the concern, with PSV shipping three goals. In 2025 alone, they’ve already conceded 60 times in 33 matches across all competitions — an average of 1.82 goals per game, their worst calendar-year figure since 1966.
But it’s not all gloom in Eindhoven. Going forward, PSV have the firepower to compensate, especially with Ricardo Pepi in the side. The American striker has scored 11 goals in his last six league starts, and another strike this weekend would see him become just the third PSV player this century to score in seven consecutive Eredivisie starts — following Mateja Kezman (2004) and Luuk de Jong (2015).
N.E.C. v PSV, 13 September 2025. Ricardo Pepi celebrates making it 1-4 for PSV.
Read more
