Ajax host defending champions PSV Eindhoven at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday evening in the first De Topper of the 2026/27 Eredivisie season.

Both sides enter matchday five unbeaten, with the visitors looking to strengthen their position at the top end of the table.

Ajax and PSV meet on Saturday at 8pm in a fixture that arrives with both clubs in strong early-season form. The two sides have drawn their last two league meetings 2-2, while Ajax have avoided defeat in their last five encounters with PSV after previously losing seven of nine, including six in succession.

Ajax's resurgence under Míchel has been built around attacking intent. The Amsterdam side have scored 17 goals across their last five matches in all competitions and enter the contest on a 13-game unbeaten run overall. Last weekend's 4-0 victory over Telstar also brought a rare clean sheet after a spell in which they had conceded at least twice in four consecutive matches.

That defensive improvement will be tested considerably more severely against PSV. Ajax drew 2-2 with Shelbourne and Heerenveen and defeated Sion 4-2 and 5-3 during their European campaign before dispatching Telstar. Their ability to attack quickly and commit numbers forward has brought goals, but it has also left opportunities in transition.

PSV arrive with momentum of their own. Peter Bosz's side suffered a 4-0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the Johan Cruyff Shield before drawing 2-2 with Fortuna Sittard on the opening weekend. Since then, however, the champions have beaten Excelsior 2-1, Groningen 5-1 and FC Utrecht 6-1.

The defending champions are seeking a fourth consecutive Eredivisie title, and Saturday's fixture offers an early opportunity to create distance from one of their principal challengers. PSV have scored 15 goals across their last five matches, although they have also failed to keep a clean sheet during that spell.

PSV have been particularly effective in distributing the scoring burden. Sergiño Dest, Ivan Perišić, Ruben van Bommel, Guus Til and Ricardo Pepi have each scored twice in the league, giving Bosz several different routes towards goal.

Míchel is expected to remain without Daley Blind, Viktor Tsygankov and Rayane Bounida, while Simon Adingra is struggling with a foot injury. Sofyan Amrabat, who returned to the Eredivisie shortly before the transfer deadline, is unlikely to start.

Marc-André ter Stegen should continue in goal behind Anton Gaaei, Aaron Bouwman, Youri Baas and Caio Henrique. Davy Klaassen, Jorthy Mokio and Julian Brandt are expected to form the midfield.

Steven Berghuis is likely to retain an attacking role after contributing a goal and two assists in recent matches. Tolu Arokodare, who joined on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, will be targeting a fourth consecutive game with a goal, while Oscar Gloukh provides another creative presence between the lines.

Possible Ajax XI: Ter Stegen; Gaaei, Bouwman, Baas, Henrique; Klaassen, Mokio, Brandt; Berghuis, Arokodare, Gloukh.

Bosz will be without Alassane Pléa, Dennis Man, Kiliann Sildillia, Sami Ouaissa and Jerdy Schouten. Ruben van Bommel and Sam Lammers will be assessed ahead of kick-off.

Matej Kovář is expected to start behind Dest, Ryan Flamingo, Armando Obispo and Mauro Júnior. Kodai Sano and Noah Fernandez should provide midfield support for Guus Til, whose late runs have already produced two goals this season.

Perišić, Van Bommel and Pepi offer contrasting attacking options, while Dest has contributed two goals and two assists from the right.

Possible PSV XI: Kovář; Dest, Flamingo, Obispo, Júnior; Sano, Fernandez; Perišić, Til, Van Bommel; Pepi.

Ajax's attacking approach will face a PSV side that thrives on pressure, territory and numbers around the penalty area. The hosts have demonstrated an ability to score freely, while PSV's recent results underline their own attacking strength.

With both teams unbeaten in the Eredivisie and the last two league meetings ending 2-2, the first De Topper of the season promises to provide an early indication of how the title race could develop.