Online betting odds for the Dutch Eredivisie Preview
31st July, 2009
The Dutch Eredivisie is the first of the major European leagues to get underway this season and the action starts on Friday when Heerenveen entertain Roda.
While Ajax dominated domestically, and in Europe, for much of the 70's and again in the mid-90's they are certainly not the force they once were and former Tottenham manager Martin Jol has now been entrusted with reviving the Amsterdam giant's fortunes.
Ajax could only finish third last season behind champions AZ Alkmaar but the bookies make Jol's new club the team to beat this time around.
Both Ajax and rivals PSV Eindhoven are rated as 2/1 joint-favourites with Coral but it would be foolish to write off Alkmaar under new coach Ronald Koeman and they are sure to put up a bold defence of their trophy.
AZ striker and Moroccan international Mounir El Hamdaoui, top scorer in the Eredivisie last season with 23 goals, will spearhead Koeman's side once more and his form will be crucial if they are to contend again.
PSV look strong in all areas and new recruit Orlando Engelaar could well prove a pivotal signing. The powerful midfielder has impressed in recent seasons for both Twente and Schalke and will be expected to forge a partnership with the talented Ibrahim Afellay behind Danny Koevermans.
Champions League semi-finalists as recently as 2005, PSV will be keen to regain their status as the the number one side in Holland, having been crowned champions on seven occasions in the past ten years, but regardless of their fortunes it promises to be another highly exciting and competitive season in the Eredivisie. It's arguably the most entertaining league in Europe and goals are rarely hard to come by.
By Tom Allen
