Right now it's very tight at the top with only three points separating the top four teams
Despite popular misconception, the Eredivisie is one of the most unpredictable leagues in Europe in terms of who will win it. While Ajax have won the Netherlands' top division an astonishing 35 times, the trophy regularly changes hands and long periods of consistent dominance, like those seen recently at Bayern Munich and Juventus, are not the norm. In the last 20 years no team has won the league more than four years in a row and the trophy often switches between the three powerhouses of Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord, while FC Twente did sneak in and snatch one in 2010. Ajax have won the last two league campaigns which reached a conclusion, with the 2019-20 campaign abandoned due to Covid-19. Before that, between 2014 and 2018 all three of them had held it one year or another.
Not only is the Dutch league one with differing Champions, it's also traditionally the birthplace of some of the world's most entertaining play. The home of total football, the Netherlands regularly produces and develops incredible talent. Their national team is currently in bad shape but traditionally has been one of the major forces in world football. Ajax are a club steeped in history and glory, and were in a Champions League semi final as recently as two years ago. The Eredivisie has quality, history and everything else a football fan could want to see. Not only that but this year it's looking tastier than ever with only three points separating Ajax in top spot and Willem II in fourth place. There are some fantastic players to see, some intriguing battles to monitor as the season goes on and frankly what more could you want from a domestic league?
We decided to have a look at who might edge it this year and take home the Eredivisie crown. Will Ajax make it three in a row? Will Feyenoord win their first title in five years? Can an upstart Utrecht hold strong throughout the campaign and capture their first ever Eredivisie crown? Only time will tell. Lets see what the bookies are thinking. Incidentally, if you're looking to check out odds or maybe even have a flutter, pop over to these guys and see what's on offer for yourself.
Ajax (8/15 Favourites)
The Amsterdam giants are understandably favourites, as they usually are. On paper they have the best squad in the league and in Erik ten Hag they have one of the most exciting and sought after coaches in the world. They're absolutely flying up front so far this season, having already scored 30 goals in 8 games, averaging almost four goals a game. The next highest goals total is that of fifth placed Feyenoord who have scored 20 so far. It's little wonder that they are having so much joy up front - the seemingly rejuvenated Sebastian Haller has netted 16 himself in the league alone since his arrival in January, and with the arrival of Steven Berghuis from Feyenoord in the summer, to support the always reliable Dusan Tadic in the creative department, Ajax are a real machine up top. They're not too shabby at the back either, having conceded only two in those eight games. They are blowing teams away left and right. They did however fall short in their last game losing at home 1-0 to possible title rivals Utrecht. Their only other goal conceded was in a 1-1 draw with Twente. There could be an argument made that they come unstuck against the teams at the upper end of the table and this is something which may cause ten Hag slight concern. Ajax are for sure the powerhouses of this league but as results and the league table have shown, this is not a one horse race, at least not yet.
PSV Eindhoven (9/4)
After five season on loan and 67 league appearances for the club, Marko van Ginkel is officially a PSV player. Having been made captain, the former Chelsea man is leading the Eindhoven club towards what looks like being a positive season. They have a squad with a lot of talent including World Cup winner Mario Gotze who, at 29, has much more to offer. The Boeren have started their league campaign quite promisingly. Despite losing Donyell Malen and Denzel Dumfries in the summer, they sit just one point behind Ajax in top spot after eight matches and have four points from their opening two Europa League games. The only concern for PSV fans will be that their only two losses have come against their rivals. They lost 2-1 to Willem II who are currently fourth and were hammered 4-0 at home by Feyenoord who are fifth. These are the teams they will be competing against at the top of the table this season, assuming it stays anything like it is now, and to lose to both of them is quite damning. On the other hand, smashing Ajax 4-0 in the Johan Cruijff Schaal just before the season started should have given them some confidence that they have what it takes to beat the very best in the league. PSV are understandably second favourites in the betting and could well be worth a punt.
Feyenoord (8/1)
Captain with over 200 league appearances for Feyenoord, Jens Toornstra will be hoping he can lead the Rotterdam club to their first title since 2017. They are currently only four points off the top spot with a game in hand and are one of five or six teams currently in this extremely competitive Eredivisie title race. If things stay this interesting all season it is sure to be a fascinatingly wide open battle for supremacy in the Netherlands. Despite losing Steven Berghuis to rivals Ajax in the summer, Feyenoord are firing on all cylinders, and in particular Guus Til and Bryan Linssen are having a lovely time as they sit first and second in the Eredivisie top scorers charts. Iranian international Alireza Jahanbakhsh was brought in from Brighton in the transfer window as well as a couple of promising Norwegians. If they don't exert themselves too much in the inaugural Europa Conference League, Feyenoord should certainly be up there challenging for the title this season.
FC Utrecht (40/1)
Despite being fourth on this list, Utrecht are currently third in the Eredivisie, only two points behind Ajax who they beat 1-0 away in Amsterdam a week ago, inflicting the Champions' only defeat of the season so far. Their squad isn't full of household names but Premier League fans will remember Mike Van der Hoorn who made over 100 league appearances for Swansea City. The 6'3 beast of a centre back is in on loan from Arminia Bielefeld and has played in six of their eight Eredivisie games. Thanks to him and his defensive teammates, they've only conceded five goals, a record only bettered by Ajax. Utrecht have won four on the bounce and are full of confidence. Finishing sixth last season may turn out to be a blessing as without European football to occupy their minds, they seem like a team which is well organised and well rested. At 40/1 they are a solid outside bet to go all the way and win a first league title since 1958 when they weren't even FC Utrecht.
*all odds from Bet 365
You can watch all of this Dutch football action for free via live streaming with Bet 365. Every Eredivisie match is available to UK football fans on the world's most popular sports betting brand's app and website. You can watch the likes of Ajax and Feyenoord battle it out for the Eredivisie title live every week online. Simply sign up or login, navigate to the fixture you want to watch and click the small video icon next to it to start streaming. Terms and conditions apply.
Stay up-to-date with all things football at Sporticos
We provide data, stats and analysis of games from across the world; a comprehensive TV guide which tells you exactly when and where you can watch your favourite teams in action; trusted, legal sources of live streaming, breaking news and so much more.
Check out our Live Football on TV page.
Here's our Football Live Streaming page.
