Betfair Live Video: De Klassieker comes to Eindhoven in an Eredivisie pulse raiser

14Apr 2013

Betfair

With an A-League semi-final and Ajax's trip to PSV, Betfair Live Video has Sunday's live football covered from across the globe. Lewis Watson takes a closer look at  the two make or break fixtures...

Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory
Sunday 08:00
It's the second of the semi-finals in Australia and it couldn't be simpler. The winner books themselves a place in next weekend's Grand Final against the Wanderers,  with the losers having to deal with falling at the final hurdle.
High pressure and high drama is assured as the Victory travel to the Bluetounge Stadium on Sunday morning with it all to play for...
The Mariners have had to use their squad to its fullest in recent weeks. Playing four games in sixteen days hasn't come at the best of times in terms of preparation  for this semi-final. With Graham Arnold shuffling the pack intelligently in their midweek AFC Champions League fixture, he has a strong and fresh selection of first  team regulars chomping at the bit to secure a Grand Finals spot next Sunday.
The most notable absentee from Tuesday's loss to Guizhou Renhe was golden boot winner and prolific striker Daniel McBreen. With a week's rest under his belt as well as  two goals in his last two outings, he is sure to be prominent in the waves of Mariners pressure that is expected in Gosport.
Another man missing the trip to China was midfielder Michael McGlinchey, who has arguably been the A-League stand-out player this season. Chipping in with six goals,  three assists and being an ever present in the starting eleven, the Kiwi has had his best season to date with the Mariners.
With the record of playing the most finals series matches out of any team in history (sixteen) means the experience of the hosts will be invaluable, but the fact that  only four of these have ended in victory will no doubt be present in their sub-conscious - something Arnold will no doubt try and use as an extra incentive for his  side.
After an extra time victory over Perth in their elimination final, Melbourne Victory will no doubt feel relieved to be a part of semi-final weekend. After trailing at  home for 90 minutes, an added time penalty converted by Mark Milligan was enough to force extra time, where a 94th minute winner scored by Archie Thompson sealed the  2-1 Victory at the AAMI Park. A more convincing performance will be needed to over-turn a confident Mariners outfit, and coach Postecoglou knows his defence are a  constant concern.
Leaking 45 goals in the regular season and still finishing in third place was quite the achievement for the Victory. With personnel changes in the back four on a  weekly basis it has proven hard for Postecoglou to know what his best formation is. After losing this fixture 6-2 earlier on in the season, it would be naive of the  Victory boss to hope to outscore the hosts, but with youngster Marco Rojas having a dream season in front of goal, he might well be relied upon heavily come Sunday  morning.
The history books have these two sides down as inseparable. With nine Victory wins, eight Mariners wins and seven draws you would be forgiven for thinking this one  could go to penalties. However with the form Mariners are in as well as the hold they have had over their visitors in this season's clashes, I can see Mariners nicking  this one and sealing their place in next Sunday's Grand Final.
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PSV vs Ajax
Sunday 15:30
It's squeaky bum time in the Netherlands. With four points separating the top four teams in the Eredivisie, points mean prizes in the last five games of the season and  its Ajax's to throw away. With a three point lead over their hosts PSV going into this fixture, reigning champions Ajax will know that avoiding defeat could go a long  way to securing their 32nd Dutch title.
PSV have spent a majority of this season in top spot. With a relentless strike force scoring 88 goals paired with a competent defence, it looked like Dick Advocaat had  the formulae spot on to stroll to their first title since 2008. Recent losses at the hands of teams like Zwolle and Heerenveen however have raised many eyebrows at the  title credentials of Eindhoven, with many suggesting they have bottled their major chance.
With a plethora of striking options, Advocaat has had to rotate upfront all season. With eight forwards finding the net this season, it's a headache that has been  welcomed in Eindhoven especially seeing the results it has had on the pitch. Lens, Matavz and Wijnaldum all started last weekend away to Williem II with a 3-1 victory  and will hope to keep their place in Sunday's starting line up.
Without back to back victories in nine games, PSV have allowed Ajax to cruise to top spot after five wins on the spin, and with the season coming to an exciting climax  it couldn't have come at a better time. Hitting top spot for the first time four weeks ago, Frank de Boer's men look to be peaking at the perfect time and with a  favourable run in they look in a strong position to defend their Dutch crown.
With a midfield consisting of Siem de Jong and Christian Eriksen in top form, this partnership has become the envy of the rest of the league, if not Europe. With  nineteen goals between them along with eighteen assists, they have been instrumental in Ajax's successes so far this season.
With the league's best strike force coming up against the best midfield, expect this to be a high tempo frantic affair. A home win would see PSV edge above their  visitors on goal difference, where as an away win would see Ajax go six clear of PSV with four to play. With Vitesse and Feyenoord both facing tricky away ties, Ajax  could well have one hand back on their Eredivisie title come Sunday evening.
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Keywords: Betfair Live Video, De Klassieker, Eindhoven, Eredivisie

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