MATCH PREVIEWS

PSV vs. AZ: Philips Stadion Showdown

It’s top versus fifth at Philips Stadion this January, as Eredivisie leaders PSV host AZ in a matchup that promises plenty of action. PSV are cruising this season, but AZ are no pushovers and will be looking to cause an upset on the road.

Key Stats to Know

PSV’s Home Fortress: The league leaders have been untouchable at home, with eight wins from eight matches. Their attack is jaw-dropping, netting 4.62 goals per game from an xG of 2.48. Defensively, they’ve been nearly watertight, conceding just 0.5 goals per game (xG: 1.23). Missing Mauro Júnior and Sergiño Dest could test their squad depth, but with Ricardo Pepi (13 goals this season) and Ismael Saibari (4 goals in his last 5) in red-hot form, they remain a serious threat.

AZ’s Away-Day Blues: Things aren’t quite clicking for AZ on the road. With just 2 wins in their last 6 away games, their attack is struggling to convert chances, scoring 1.33 goals per game despite an xG of 1.65. Defensively, they’re conceding 1.5 goals per game (xG: 1.34), which isn’t ideal when you’re up against the best attack in the league. Troy Parrott, their top scorer, has 3 goals in his last 5 games, but AZ will need to up their game across the board if they want to compete.

Betting Suggestions

This game looks tailor-made for goals, and PSV to win 3-1 at 9.5 feels like an excellent shout. With their attacking prowess, it’s hard to see AZ keeping them quiet. If you’re looking for safer value, over 2.5 goals at 1.44 is almost a no-brainer. Don’t be surprised if this one’s done and dusted before halftime.

This game is available via our partner Booms Bet. Click here.

Feyenoord vs. Utrecht: Battle for Eredivisie Bragging Rights

We’re all set for a heavyweight showdown at De Kuip this Saturday, as 4th-placed Feyenoord welcome a red-hot Utrecht side sitting just one spot above them in the Eredivisie table. With both teams in strong form, this could have major implications for the league standings.

Key Stats to Know

Feyenoord’s Fortress?

De Kuip hasn’t been the fortress Feyenoord fans might hope for lately, with 4 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in their last 7 home games. The attack, though, is potent: they’re netting 2.43 goals per game (xG: 1.53). Santiago Giménez is the man of the moment, with 5 goals in his last 5 matches. But their defensive generosity, conceding 1.71 goals per game (xG: 1.47), could spell trouble, especially with Quinten Timber suspended and injuries piling up.

Utrecht’s Away Masterclass

If there’s one team you don’t want to visit right now, it’s Utrecht. They’ve been flawless on the road, with 7 wins and a draw in their last 8 trips. Their attack is outperforming all expectations, scoring 3.0 goals per game (xG: 1.18), while their defence keeps it tight at 0.88 conceded (xG: 1.4). Paxten Aaronson, with 4 goals this season, and Miguel Rodríguez, who’s bagged 3 in his last 5, are firing on all cylinders. Missing Nick Viergever through suspension might sting, but they’ve shown they can handle adversity.

Betting Suggestions

This one’s as tight as it gets. A 1-1 draw at 9.5 feels like solid value for a game where both sides could cancel each other out. Want to live dangerously? A goalless snoozer at 20.0 might seem like a stretch, but stranger things have happened. Feyenoord’s firepower against Utrecht’s road form makes this game unpredictable, but if there’s one certainty, it’s that this will keep us glued to the screen.

This game is available via our partner Booms Bet. Click here.

WTF?

⚽️ Got milk? This soccer club's bizarre paint solution

When life gives you empty paint cans, use... dairy? That's exactly what Portuguese second-division club Oliveirense did this weekend in what might be soccer's most creative (or desperate) DIY moment yet.

Here's the scoop: Minutes before a crucial match against Felgueiras, groundskeepers realised they'd run dry while painting the field's white lines. Their solution? They made a quick dash for the nearest milk cartons, turning the soccer pitch into what might be the world's largest bowl of cereal.

The dairy details:

• Ground staff literally poured milk cartons into paint rollers

• The makeshift solution actually worked (unlike the team's performance)

• The pitch passed pre-game inspection (though we can't speak for the smell)

But plot twist: While their line-drawing creativity deserved an A+, Oliveirense's field performance went sour quickly. They lost 3-0, staying firmly at the bottom of the league with just nine points from 17 games.

Fun fact: This isn't the first time sports venues have gotten creative with line marking. During WWII, some British clubs used lime when paint was scarce. Though we're pretty sure this is the first time anyone's tried to mark lines with their breakfast drink.

DID YOU KNOW?

🎩 When hat-tricks were just another Tuesday: Van Basten's ridiculous season

You know how scoring a hat-trick is supposed to be this rare, magical moment? Tell that to Marco van Basten circa 1985, who treated them like his morning coffee routine.

During the '85-86 Eredivisie season, the Dutch striker went full video game mode, casually dropping SIX hat-tricks. That's right, while most players frame their one career hat-trick ball in a fancy display case, van Basten was probably using his as living room decoration.

The math is ridiculous:

• 37 goals in 26 games (1.42 goals per game for you numbers nerds)

• 18 of those goals came from hat-tricks alone

• Once scored 5 goals in a game just to show off

The wildest part? This wasn't even his final form. Two years later, he'd jet off to AC Milan and become, you know, just one of the greatest strikers ever.

Reality check: Ajax still finished second that season, proving that even when you have a human cheat code up front, maybe ask a few other team members to also play their part.

Fun fact: He missed several games due to injury, meaning he basically scored hat-tricks whenever he felt like showing up. Must be nice.

MEME OF THE DAY

It’s been at least three months, right?

WHO WILL WIN?