Top clubs inconsistent in first half of season: 'It no longer goes automatically'

PSV, Feyenoord, Ajax, Twente and AZ all struggling with consistency in the Eredivisie title race; top clubs finding it harder to perform reliably.

The Eredivisie title race is unusually competitive this season, primarily because the top clubs are struggling to maintain consistent performances. Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst acknowledged the shift after his side lost the lead with a defeat at SC Heerenveen, saying "it no longer goes as automatically as it used to."

PSV began excellently with five wins in six matches but has dropped points regularly since late September, losing to FC Twente and ADO Den Haag. Manager Peter Bosz attributes the instability to squad rotation caused by Champions League commitments; PSV has used 21 different starters with an average of 2.3 changes per match. Despite this, Opta gives PSV a 48% chance of winning the title after 12 rounds.

Feyenoord dominated until mid-October but has now gone four league matches without a win and surrendered first place. Van Bronckhorst believes opponents are now better prepared: "Teams now look at you differently, they analyse you. Young players like Gjivai Zechiël and Luciano Valente must develop through this."

Ajax has improved recently but struggles in top matches, losing 1-3 to PSV and drawing 2-2 with FC Twente. Manager Míchel Sánchez said they must improve their dominance in possession.