MATCH PREVIEWS

PSV vs. NAC Breda: Top vs. Mid-Table at the Philips Stadion

It’s top versus ninth as PSV welcomes NAC Breda to the Philips Stadion this Saturday. The hosts have been steamrolling their way through the competition, while NAC will be hoping to cause an upset against the runaway Eredivisie leaders.

Key Stats to Know

PSV's Relentless Attack: The league leaders are an absolute force at home, boasting seven wins and a draw in their last eight matches. They’re averaging an eye-watering 4.5 goals per game from an xG of 2.52, meaning they’re converting chances at an alarming rate. Defensive concerns? Not really, although they’re conceding 1.12 goals per match from an xG of 1.0. Ricardo Pepi has been lethal in front of goal with 15 strikes this season, while Luuk de Jong has hit a purple patch, bagging five goals in his last five outings.

NAC Breda's Tough Task: Sitting in ninth, NAC have had mixed fortunes away from home, with three wins, a draw, and three losses in their last seven on the road. They’re scoring a respectable 1.43 goals per game (xG: 1.34), but their defence is a different story, conceding 1.29 goals per match against an xG of 1.88. Elías Már Ómarsson has been their standout performer, netting six goals so far, including four in his last five appearances. He’ll need to be at his best if NAC want to leave Eindhoven with anything.

Betting Suggestions

PSV have been untouchable at home, and the odds reflect it. A 3-1 win for the hosts at 11.0 looks tempting, especially with their goal-scoring form. Looking for something different? The first-half total corners to be over 5.5 at 2.12 offers great value, given PSV’s tendency to push hard from the start and NAC’s defensive struggles under pressure.

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Heracles vs. Utrecht: A Crucial Clash at Erve Asito

It is all happening at Erve Asito this evening as Heracles take on high-flying Utrecht in a crucial Eredivisie showdown. For Heracles, survival is the name of the game, while Utrecht are eyeing a season that could go down in history. Winning matches like this is an absolute must if they want to keep their remarkable campaign on track.

Key Stats to Know

Heracles' Survival Struggle: The home side currently sit 14th in the league and have had a mixed run of form at home, with two wins, three draws and one defeat in their last six outings. They are averaging 1.83 goals per game from an expected goals (xG) of 1.62, but their defensive woes are evident as they concede 1.5 goals per game from an xG of 2.24. Adding to their struggles, top scorer Luka Kulenović is sidelined through injury, leaving a big gap in their attacking threat.

Utrecht's Historic Pursuit: Utrecht are in dreamland, currently sitting 3rd in the table and riding an incredible wave of form away from home. With eight wins and a draw in their last nine away games, they are scoring 2.89 goals per match from an xG of 1.35 and conceding just 0.89 from an xG of 1.53. Paxten Aaronson has been leading the charge with five goals this season, while Miguel Rodríguez has added three in his last five. Injuries to Niclas Vesterlund, Noah Ohio and Can Bozdogan could be a concern, but Utrecht have managed just fine without them.

Betting Suggestions

If Utrecht are serious about making this a season to remember, these are the games they simply have to win. A 2-1 Utrecht victory at odds of 8.0 looks appealing, given their impressive away form. If you are looking for value elsewhere, over 3.5 bookings at 2.18 seems a bit low for a game that could get feisty, especially with Heracles fighting for every point.

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

WTF?

🤯 Ex-Premier League Star Now Playing in League You've Never Heard Of

Former Swansea City and Ecuador international Jefferson Montero just signed with... checks notes twice... FC St Helens, a ninth-tier English club. Yes, you read that right – NINTH tier.

By the numbers:
• Montero's Premier League appearances: 78
• Ecuador national team caps: 64
• Current level: 9th tier of English football
• FC St Helens' position: 8th in their league
• Distance from Premier League to current level: About 8 universes

The backstory: The 35-year-old winger, who once terrorised Premier League defences (we're being generous) and played in the 2014 World Cup, is joining a team that's basically one step above Sunday league football. While the English pyramid system is admired globally, the 9th division for a guy who played in a World Cup screams, "what the f*ck went wrong?"

Between the lines: It turns out Montero's been playing at Antonio Valencia's academy in Ecuador (because name another Ecuadorian footballer), and somehow that led to him joining a team that probably plays in front of fewer people than a decent house party. The club's sporting director insists it's "not a publicity stunt," which is exactly what someone pulling a publicity stunt would say.

Bottom line: Just when you think football can't get any weirder, a former Premier League star shows up at a club that probably lists the local pub as their stadium. At least he won't have to worry about Premier League pressure anymore – just avoiding the dog mess on the pitch. ⚽

DID YOU KNOW?

Ajax's 1971-72 Season Was Pure Football Pornography

Forget everything you know about dominant seasons because Ajax's '71-72 campaign makes Man City's treble side from a few seasons back look like a participation trophy. 

By the numbers:

• Goals scored: 104 (that's 3.05 per game for the math nerds)

• Goals conceded: 20 (stingier than your ex)

• Goal difference: +84 (yes, seriously)

• Record: 30W-3D-1L (one loss... They must have been drinking)

For context: This goal difference would be like winning every single game 2.5-0.6. This kind of stat makes modern analytics departments need a cigarette.

The cherry on top? They casually won the European Cup while they were at it, beating Inter Milan 2-0 in the final, probably while yawning.

Between the lines: This was "Total Football" in its purest form, with Johan Cruyff and co. Treating position numbers like suggestions rather than rules. They even dropped a casual 12-1 win over Vitesse just to remind everyone they could.

Bottom line: Next time someone talks about "the greatest team ever," just whisper "Ajax '72" and walk away. Sometimes, numbers do tell the whole story. ⚽

MEME OF THE DAY

Doing Dutch football proud.

WHO WILL WIN?