The very last and crucial round of play is upon us. PSV closed only one of the past 24 Eredivisie seasons with a defeat in the last league game. And is the only team this Eredivisie season that has yet to lose after taking a lead.
For the 43rd time an away game at the AFAS Stadium is scheduled this weekend. Nineteen times PSV emerged victorious and fifteen times AZ won. Nine times the game ended in a draw. The goal difference is also very divided: 71 for PSV and 52 against. The home game just before the start of the World Cup earlier this season was lost (0-1). Vangelis Pavlidis already decided the game in the eighteenth minute.
Strong after lead
PSV is the only team that has not yet lost after a lead this Eredivisie season (W22-G5-V0). They last performed that in a full season at the highest level in 2020-2021.
Three points in Alkmaar
Last season, PSV recorded a big win at the AFAS Stadium (3-0). Olivier Boscagli popped in a fine distance shot (14'). Yorbe Vertessen (69') and Ritsu Doan (83') also managed to find the net.
Famous for Til
Guus Til began his football career in AZ's youth academy. He eventually played 76 Eredivisie matches for the North Hollanders. In his final season at AZ, Til was captain and became the club's top scorer (12 goals). He could become the third player in the Eredivisie to score on behalf of AZ and PSV in this poster. Danny Koevermans and Adam Maher preceded him.
Most valuable force
Xavi Simons, with seventeen goals and eight assists, is the most valuable PSV player this Eredivisie season. The last player involved in more PSV goals in an Eredivisie season was Donyell Malen (27). Cody Gakpo was involved in 25 goals last season.
Previous fixtures
AZ and PSV met three times in the final round of an Eredivisie season. AZ did not win any of those three duels: 1-0 in 1982-1983, 2-4 in 2003-2004 and 1-1 in 2009-2010 in Alkmaar.
Luuks' away goals
In the Eredivisie, Luuk de Jong scored at least as many away goals as against AZ (6) only against PEC Zwolle (6). He is still one goal away from 150 Eredivisie goals. This century, only Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (154) scored at least 150 Eredivisie goals.