Eredivisie season preview: Who might prevent PSV from claiming a third consecutive title?

But who are the favorites, who aspire to challenge for the title, and who must be cautious of the risks of relegation?Flashscore kicks off the Eredivisie season with an extensive, all-inclusive preview.

PSV aiming for a three-peat

It wouldn't be wise to discuss title contenders without first mentioning the team that has won two titles in a row -PSV has been dominant in the Dutch Eredivisie over the past two years, but they begin the season with a squad that is nearly unrecognizable at its core.

Captain Luuk de Jong departed on a free transfer, as did long-time center-back Olivier Boscagli, goalkeeper Walter Benitez, right-backs Richard Ledezma and Rick Karsdorp, and striker Lucas Perez.

Along with De Jong, Noa Lang (Napoli) and Johan Bakayoko (RB Leipzig) have also left the Eindhoven club, prompting PSV to revamp nearly their entire attacking line.

However, the most significant loss will be German-American midfielderMalik Tillman, who returned to Germany on a €35 million transfer to Bayer Leverkusen.

Yet, like a budding monopolist, PSV has remarkably strengthened their squad. Winger Ruben van Bommel, son of club legend Mark van Bommel, joined PSV from AZ for €16 million, Spanish center-back Yarek Gasiorowski was brought in from Valencia, right-back Kiliann Sildillia and striker Alassane Plea came in from the Bundesliga, and goalkeepers Nick Olij (for €3 million from Sparta) and Matej Kovar (on loan from Leverkusen) also joined the champions.

PSV's midfield was exceptional during the last campaign, contributing an impressive 69 goals as PSV netted 103 league goals. Top scorer Ricardo Pepi remains in Eindhoven, as do Ivan Perisic, who had 17 goal contributions last year, and Ismael Saibari, who also reached double digits in both goals and assists.

The title appears to be PSV's to lose once more. Can the powerful Eindhoven side achieve a three-peat under manager Peter Bosz?

Ajax's new look

PSV narrowly clinched a thrilling title race last season. Ajax, however, may feel they lost that race rather than that PSV triumphed.

Under Francesco Farioli's leadership, the Amsterdam giants revived from a deep slumber and nearly captured an incredible title, only to let a double-digit-point lead slip away in the closing weeks of the league.

With former Liverpool assistant Johnny Heitinga now in charge, Ajax aims to continue their pursuit of PSV. They, too, will have to do this with a fresh face: defensive star Jorrel Hato departed for Chelsea, and several players were offloaded for next to nothing after being deemed surplus. And there’s an actual new face in the form of a new logo.

In return, Ajax strengthened their attack by signing Spanish U21 international Raul Moro and Red Bull Salzburg sensation Oscar Gloukh to their roster. On the other end of the pitch, Liverpool keeper Viteszlav Jaros was recruited to replace the aging Remko Pasveer, whose permanent successor was also brought in: Dutch U19 international Joeri Heerkens.

Heitinga demonstrated intent with a high-press strategy during pre-season, which Ajax concluded with four victories, two draws, and one defeat.

One major concern: only one of their 19 pre-season goals came from a striker.Bertrand Traore scored in the final pre-season match against Monaco - a game in which he wasn't even supposed to play as a striker, but had to fill in following Brian Brobbey's injury - the same Brobbey who netted four goals in 30 Eredivisie appearances last season. Will striker issues prove costly for Ajax?

First managerial triumph for Robin van Persie?

Another formidable contender is Feyenoord, led by club legend Robin van Persie.

No Dutch team has been as active in the transfer market as the Rotterdam giants. Perhaps not by choice, but out of necessity, eight new arrivals have transformed Feyenoord into a team to watch.

Sem Steijn, last season's Eredivisie top scorer with 24 goals, was signed for €10 million from FC Twente, along with midfield maestro Luciano Valente from FC Groningen. From outside the Netherlands, Feyenoord acquired Porto winger Goncalo Borges, Gent defender Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Sheffield United center-back Anel Ahmedhodzic, Benfica striker Casper Tengstedt, Australian left-back Jordan Bos, and Istanbulspor winger Gaoussou Diarra.

The need arose as some of the team's star players departed for greener pastures. Slovak stalwart David Hancko ended up at Atletico Madrid after a chaotic transfer saga with Al Nassr, forward star Igor Paixao moved to Olympique Marseille, and rising midfield talent Antoni Milambo secured his big Premier League transfer by joining Brentford.

Robin van Persie showcased his side's potential in the latter months of last season, where Feyenoord went on an impressive seven-game winning streak to seize third place from FC Utrecht. Scoring 24 goals during those seven matches also highlighted their attacking capabilities, but how much of that will remain by the start of the new season?

Race for Europe

Behind PSV, Ajax, and Feyenoord, another exciting battle is set to unfold among FC Utrecht, FC Twente, AZ, and Go Ahead Eagles.

Go Ahead Eagles made history by securing their first piece of silverware since the 1930s, defeating AZ in a thrilling KNVB Beker final. The Eagles will now compete in Europe for the first time since the 1960s and have largely retained their squad. However, manager Paul Simonis moved to Wolfsburg, along with the Eredivisie's assist king, Oliver Antman, who joined Rangers. Jakob Breum, meanwhile, could still depart as Celtic shows interest in the young Dane.

For the fans, it won't matter. European football will be played in Deventer - lifelong dreams will come true, and anything else will be a pleasant bonus.

FC Utrecht had a phenomenal 2024/25 season, holding onto the third spot for what seemed like an eternity and even briefly contending for the title. Under the reliable guidance of Ron Jans, FC Utrecht aims to build on their successful campaign and make an impression in both Europe and the Eredivisie.

One question remains: with which striker? WillDavid Min secure a starting position, or will Noah Ohio fulfill his promise?

FC Twente, on the other hand, collected their thoughts after a disappointing loss in the playoff final against AZ. Losing top scorer Sem Steijn created a significant gap in Twente's team - a gap they hope to fill with former Ajax midfielder Kristian Hlynsson.

AZ had to operate at full capacity after Finnish team Ilves Tampere nearly eliminated the Alkmaar outfit from Europe. A rusty 4-3 defeat was offset by a 5-0 home victory, securing AZ a place in the third round of the Conference League qualifying phase.

Similar to Utrecht and Twente, not much has changed for AZ. Troy Parrott and Mexx Meerdink remained, just like future star Kees Smit. Only Ruben van Bommel, Jayden Addai, David Moller Wolfe, and Bruno Martins Indi departed from the club that always finds a viable solution in such situations.

Competitive midfield

Last year's midfield contest was a spectacle to witness.

Behind cup winners Go Ahead Eagles, who cruised to a seventh-place finish, the final two playoff spots were contested right up to the last minute of the season. So much so that every team from eighth to fourteenth place, separated by just two points, had the chance to enter the playoffs for Conference League football.

The season ended with eighth-placed NEC Nijmegen and fourteenth-placed Heracles separated by five points, meaning that Heerenveen, PEC Zwolle, Fortuna Sittard, Sparta, and FC Groningen all had everything to play for on the final day.

Except for Fortuna, however, as they botched their UEFA license and were unable to enter the playoffs. Even more reason for them to bounce back from that disappointing season, particularly since former Barcelona prodigy Alen Halilovic is still active in Sittard.

NEC, who sport four different crests and seven different kits this season to commemorate their 115th anniversary, have also been active in the market. Goalkeeper Robin Roefs left for a club-record fee to join Sunderland. In contrast, Telstar sensation Youssef El Kachati, Virgil Misidjan, Tjaronn Chery, and Jasper Cillessen joined the Nijmegen side, who replaced manager Rogier Meijer with Dick Schreuder.

Heerenveen added PEC Zwolle's top scorer, Dylan Vente, to their roster after losing three strikers during this summer's transfer window. Ajax loanee Amourricho van Axel Dongen was acquired to enhance the attack, while Levi Smans, Oliver Braude, Marcus Linday, and Jacob Trenskow remained loyal to the Frisians.

FC Groningen has some puzzling decisions to make with just three pure midfielders in their squad, one of whom was named captain this offseason: Stije Resink. Oskar Zawada joined the Pride of the North from RKC Waalwijk, Jorg Schreuders remained as opposed to Luciano Valente, and so did Dutch youth international Thom van Bergen.

Manager Dick Lukkien will need to field his backup goalkeeper in the first three games, as Surinamese international Etienne Vaessen sits out a suspension after throwing a punch following the Ajax match at the end of last season.

Sparta Rotterdam, the country's oldest football club, made a remarkable comeback in the latter half of last season and retained manager Maurice Steijn. With a blend of experience, provided by players like Jonathan de Guzman, Patrick van Aanholt, and Jens Toornstra, alongside youthful promise from Marvin Young, Ayoub Oufkir and Shunsuke Mito, Sparta hopes to capture attention once more this season.

Relegation threats

At the bottom of the table, several notable relegation candidates stand out.

Telstar surprised many football fans by achieving promotion to the Eredivisie through the playoffs. The team from Velsen-Zuid caused an upset by defeating Willem II 3-1 on their home ground, thus securing their return to the Eredivisie for the first time since 1978.

A lack of spending in the transfer market followed their unexpected rise. Telstar didn't spend any money in the transfer window, acquiring goalkeeper Daan Reiziger from Cambuur and attracting four(!) players from amateur champions Quick Boys, who saw striker Milan Zonneveld, left-back Nigel Ogidi Nwankwo, his brother and center-back Neville Ogidi Nwankwo, and winger Patrick Brouwer depart.

Youssef El Kachati, who scored 24 goals for Telstar last season, left the club for NEC Nijmegen. This leaves an inexperienced Telstar squad that will have to battle for their worth, week after week.

Joining them in the relegation battle are Excelsior, who returned to the Eredivisie after a brief absence. Unlike Telstar, however, Excelsior has been active in the transfer market, bringing in seven players after losing eleven. Especially Lance Duijvestijn, who contributed to 20 goals last season, will be greatly missed in Rotterdam.

FC Volendam, reigning champions of the Dutch second tier, saw an even bigger contributor depart when Bilal Ould-Chikh, the creative heartbeat of the team, who set a record with 20 assists last season, left the club on a free transfer.

However, the dynamic duo of strikers Henk Veerman and Robert Muhren, who combined for an impressive 44 goals last season, remained at the club, providing the team with some attacking options to build upon. Will they be sufficient to avoid relegation?

Finally, NAC Breda must find another gear and learn from last season to survive. The Breda outfit lost star Leo Sauer after his loan period ended, and hopes that Mohamed Nassoh or Brahim Ghalidi can fill the void.

In addition to Sauer, captain Jan Van den Bergmidfielder Dominik Janosekstriker Elias Mar Omarssonand winger Adam Kaied also departed the club, leaving manager Carl Hoefkens with a significant challenge.

NAC concluded last season with just one victory since December 7th and failed to win any of their last fourteen matches.

The Eredivisie season kicks off on Friday, August 8th, with a match between Fortuna Sittard and Go Ahead Eagles at 20.00 CET.

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