Eredivisie preview

With the 2011/12 Eredivisie campaign set to kick off on Saturday, skysports.com looks ahead to the new season.

With the 2011/12 Eredivisie campaign set to kick off on Saturday, skysports.com looks ahead to the new season.

With Ajax likely to be fighting off the challenge of PSV and FC Twente in a bid to lift their 31st title, the new Eredivisie season promises to be full of twists and turns. At the other end of the table, the likes of VVV Venlo and promoted RKC Waalwijk are expected to battle against relegation, while it remains to be seen where the ambitious Vitesse can end up this term. For a greater insight into what you can expect from all of the runners and riders, take a look through skysports.com's in-depth guide to the new season.

ADO Den Haag

Manager: Maurice Steijn Stadium: Kyocera Stadium Star man: Wesley Verhoek League position in 2010/11: 7th ADO Den Haag had a fantastic 2010-11 season under coach John van den Brom, even qualifying for the Europa League. The club underwent some major changes this summer but not necessarily for the better. Star duo Dmitry Bulykin and Frantisek Kubik left the club after Bulykin crowned himself as their top scorer last season. The future of the Russian attacker is still in doubt as he returned to Belgian giants Anderlecht after his loan spell. Kubik was due to return to Slovakian parent club Trencin but was instead sold to Russian side Krasnodar. Another major change is that Van den Brom has left the club for ambitious rivals Vitesse. ADO are trying to keep local heroes Wesley Verhoek and Lex Immer on board but know it will be difficult. They have signed Slovakian defender Filip Luksik this summer, as well as a couple of players from the Dutch second tier - Tjaronn Chery and Marc Hocher. The club are expected to face a difficult season.

AZ Alkmaar

Manager: Gertjan Verbeek Stadium: AFAS Stadium Star man: Sergio Romero League position in 2010/2011: 4th AZ are currently one of the best teams in the Eredivisie, while coach Gertjan Verbeek is well known for his approach and for developing young players. However, AZ are still suffering the repercussions of the bankruptcy of their owner Dirk Scheringa two years ago. They have again tried to offload some of their expensive players in order to make room for young, talented additions. Captain Stijn Schaars left the club for Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon, Mexican defender Hector Moreno moved on to Espanyol, Graziano Pelle returned to Italy to play for Parma and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson completed a move to Ajax. At the moment the future of Argentina and AZ No.1 goalkeeper Sergio Romero is still unclear as he wants to move to a bigger league. However, AZ already have a potential replacement in their ranks with Costa Rican keeper Eseban Alvarado. Major signings this summer were Dutch Under-21 striker Ruud Boymans from VVV Venlo and USA hitman Jozy Altidore from Villarreal. AZ will again play a major role behind the top three - Ajax, FC Twente and PSV.

Ajax

Manager: Frank de Boer Stadium: Amsterdam ArenA Star man: Jan Vertonghen League position in 20010/11: 1st This season will mark Frank de Boer's first full campaign in charge of reigning champions Ajax. De Boer has allowed Demy de Zeeuw to leave the club for Spartak Moscow this summer and signed Theo Janssen from Eredivisie rivals FC Twente as his replacement. Ajax have also lost Holland goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg to Roma but have confidence in Kenneth Vermeer and are expected to sign a reserve keeper before the transfer window closes. For the striker position they bagged Iceland attacker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson for €5million from AZ. Mounir El Hamdaoui is no longer an option in Amsterdam as he has been sent to play with the reserves, while Ajax are hoping to offload the Moroccan hitman quickly. Ones to watch this season will be Danish starlets Nicolai Boilesen and Christian Eriksen. Ajax are now 30-time Dutch champions and will be targeting their second consecutive title this term.

De Graafschap

Manager: Andries Uldeirnk Stadium: De Vijverberg Star man: Rydell Poepon League position in 2010/11: 14th De Graafschap are still looking to strengthen their squad as the season gets underway. Four players have joined De Graafschap this summer - Michael de Leeuw (Veendam), Dulee Johnson (Pantetolikos), Xhelil Abdulla (FK Shkendija) and Yves De Winter (Westerlo). De Winter, 24, is a highly-rated Belgian goalkeeper who wants to show his qualities in the Eredivisie. He steps in to replace Boy Waterman, who moved to second-tier German side Alemannia Aachen on a free transfer. The club were dealt a particular blow this summer when star player Steve de Ridder left the club for Southampton. De Graafschap are likely to compete in the bottom of the Eredivisie table if they don't succeed in bringing more fresh blood to the club.

Excelsior

Manager: John Lammers Stadium: Woudestein Star man: Joost Broerse League position in 2010/11: 16th Coach Alex Pastoor has departed to take over at NEC this summer, while his former assistant John Lammers takes the helm at Excelsior. The club have seen key players such as Kaj Ramsteijn, Miquel Nelom, Jordy Clasie and Guyon Fernandez return to sister club Feyenoord. As feeders of the Rotterdam giants, Excelsior have again received some young talented players, while also making some additions of their own. Experienced midfielder Joost Broerse returns to the Eredivisie after an adventure in Cyprus, while the club have signed three players from FC Den Bosch, who Excelsior faced in the play-offs to avoid relegation last term. Goalkeeper Wesley de Ruyter, defender Samuel Scheimann and midfielder Niels Vorthoren were all signed on free transfers over the course of just a few weeks. Excelsior will again face a difficult season and will have to try hard to avoid direct relegation.

FC Groningen

Manager: Pieter Huistra Stadium: Euroborg Star man: Tim Matavz League position in 2010/11: 5th Keeping Tim Matavz and Dusan Tadic at the Euroborg stadium has been FC Groningen's biggest feat this summer. Matavz was heavily linked to Napoli, while a host of clubs were looking to bring in Tadic, but both players have decided to develop further in Groningen before making a step forward. Groningen have seen some departures with the exit of Swedish defenders Andreas Granqvist (Genoa) and Fredrik Stenman (Club Brugge), but with the arrival of Emil Johansson (Molde FK) and Kees Kwakman (FC Augsburg) they have already found replacements. Other new faces are the attackers Mattias Jones (Danubio) and Hyun-Jun Suk (Ajax). FC Groningen are looking to return to Europe and are expected to again fight with AZ for a place in the top four.

FC Twente

Manager: Co Adriaanse Stadium: Grolsch Veste Star man: Bryan Ruiz League position in 2010/11: 2nd FC Twente missed out on the title on the final day of last season, while coach Michel Preud'homme (Al Shabab) and midfielder Theo Janssen (Ajax) departed this summer. The signs suggest they will face a difficult campaign in 2011-12, but they will be buoyed after appointing Co Adriaanse as coach. He is thought of as one of the best Dutch coaches and is known for his offensive approach. Adriaanse has managed to keep Twente's biggest stars in Enschede this summer, including Nikolaj Mikaylov, Douglas and Bryan Ruiz, while young winger Nacer Chadli is ready to play a full campaign and impressed during the pre-season. Teenage right winger Steven Berghuis also made an impact and is looking to be rewarded with first-team action. Twente have signed Tim Cornelisse (FC Utrecht) and Willem Janssen (Roda JC) on free transfers to make their squad bigger and better. The Enschede club are again expected to challenge for the title this term.

FC Utrecht

Manager: Erwin Koeman Stadium: Stadion Galgenwaard Star man: Michel Vorm League position in 2010/11: 9nd The biggest deal in Dutch football this summer was without a doubt the transfer of Kevin Strootman and Dries Mertens from FC Utrecht to PSV in a €13milion deal. Earlier in the summer FC Utrecht had already seen Ricky van Wolfswinkel (Sporting Lisbon), Michel Silberbauer (Young Boys) and Tim Cornelisse (FC Twente) leave the club after a successful season in Europe which saw them eject Celtic from the Europa League and manage draws against Liverpool, Steaua Bucharest and Napoli. Michel Vorm, reserve goalkeeper of the Dutch national team, is still at the club despite speculation linking him with a move away. Utrecht have brought in three new players from Sweden - Marcus Nilsson, Johan Martensson and Alexander Gerndt. The club also have high expectations of Australian international Tommy Oar, who was signed last year along with new Japanese starlet Yoshiaki Takagi. Despite their disappointing league campaign last season, FC Utrecht are favourites to return to European football.

Feyenoord

Manager: Ronald Koeman Stadium: De Kuip Star man: Ron Vlaar League position in 2010/11: 10th Financially troubled Feyenoord have been forced to allow players to leave once again this summer. Luc Castaignos was sold to Inter Milan and Georginio Wijnaldum to Eredivisie rivals PSV, while Feyenoord decided not to offer new deals to Tim de Cler and Luigi Bruins. The Rotterdammers managed to keep central defenders Ron Vlaar and Stefan de Vrij at the club by letting them extend their old deals, which were due to end in 2012. Leroy Fer's future is still uncertain, with the youngster reluctant to extend his deal. Feyenoord have not attained permission from the Dutch FA to sign new players so far and have had to recall Kaj Ramsteijn, Miquel Nelom, Jordy Clasie and Guyon Fernandez from their duties at sister club Excelsior. Feyenoord are known for their youth academy and players are expected to make the step up into the first team. As well as the return of Fernandez and Sekou Cisse (both missed almost all of last season due to injuries), Karim El Ahmadi also makes his comeback from a loan spell at Dubai side Al Ahli and is looking for a fresh start with new coach Ronald Koeman. Feyenoord are expected to be outsiders to secure European football.

SC Heerenveen

Manager: Ron Jans Stadium: Abe Lenstra Stadion Star man: Oussama Assaidi League position in 2010/11: 12th SC Heerenveen had a disappointing first season under coach Ron Jans but the manager has stayed and is looking to start afresh. The club have some very interesting attackers at their disposal, such as Filip Djuricic, Luciano Narsingh, Roy Beerens, Bas Dost and Oussama Assaidi, and have also signed Belgian midfielder Sven Kums and veteran forward Gerald Sibon this summer. The fans' favourite this season will undoubtedly be Geert-Arend Roorda. The midfielder, born and raised in the Heerenveen region, had a difficult campaign last season due to injuries but impressed during a loan stint at Excelsior. Heerenveen are targeting European football but have quite a lot of competition for a spot. If the team fails it is expected that coach Jans will be sacked without hesitation.

Heracles Almelo

Manager: Peter Bosz Stadium: Polman Stadium Star man: Willie Overtoom League position in 2010/11: 8th Every year Heracles are widely expected to be found in the lower regions of the Eredivisie table at the end of the season, but the club have proved that even with a small budget they can play in an offensive, attractive way and gain points. The club have brought in some relatively unknown faces once more this summer in the form of Lerin Duarte (Sparta Rotterdam), Luis Pedro (Go Ahead Eagles) and Daryl van Mieghem (AFC), while midfielder Marj-Jan Fledderus has left for Roda JC on a free transfer. Heracles are expected to endure a difficult season, with much depending on the form of key players Willie Overtoom, Samuel Armenteros and Everton.

NAC Breda

Manager: John Karelse Stadium: Rat Verlegh Stadion Star man: Matthew Amoah League position in 2010/11: 13th NAC Breda had the oldest squad in the Eredivisie last season. The club board decided not to offer new deals to Csaba Feher and Joonas Kolkka, while Rob Penders decided to call time on his career. The club cut costs by allowing Leonardo to leave for Red Bull Salzburg on a loan deal, with the option to buy. Breda have brought in Eric Fernando Botteghin (FC Zwolle) and Jordy Buijs (De Graafschap) on free transfers, as well as taking Florian Jozefzoon and Roly Bonevacia on loan from Ajax. Mike Zonneveld returns to his former club following an adventure in Cyprus with AEL Limassol. Breda boast some young talented players like Donny Groter, Nemanja Gudelj and Alex Schalk. Schalk was voted as best player and top goalscorer of the Under-19 season in Holland last year.

NEC Nijmegen

Manager: Alex Pastoor Stadium: De Goffert Star man: Lasse Schone League position in 2010/11: 11th NEC will start the 2011-2012 season with a new coach, a renovated midfield and a new attacker. Alex Pastoor has replaced Wiljan Vloet at the helm, with the latter preferring a management role at Sparta Rotterdam. Lorenzo Davids and Niki Zimling have left their midfield positions at NEC for new adventures at FC Augsburg and Club Brugge respectively. Last season's top scorer in the Eredivisie, Bjorn Vlemminckx, has also moved on to Belgian giants Brugge. NEC have brought in Ryan Koolwijk from Excelsior and have also completed a loan deal for Abdisalam Ibrahim from Manchester City. They have strengthened further with the additions of Stef Nijland, on a loan deal from PSV, and Melvin Platje from FC Volendam. The club are likely to face a testing season but with the capabilities of creative players such as John Goossens and Lasse Schone they could succeed.

PSV Eindhoven

Manager: Fred Rutten Stadium: Philips Stadion Star man: Ola Toivonen League position in 2010/11: 3rd Following another disappointing season in the Eredivisie and the lucrative transfer of Balasz Dzsudzsak to Russian side Anzhi this summer, PSV have decided once again to invest in their squad. Kevin Strootman and Dries Mertens were signed in a €13million deal from FC Utrecht, while Georginio Wijnaldum came over from Feyenoord for €5m. PSV are still looking to bring in an extra defender after Francisco 'Maza' Rodriquez was sold to Stuttgart. The Eindhoven side are also missing a real killer to front their attack. Marcus Berg returns to the club after his loan period at HSV, while Danny Koevermans was not offered a new deal and injured Jonathan Reis left after PSV only offered him a one-year extension on his contract. After three seasons without a prize under coach Fred Rutten the club are under pressure to prove their worth. PSV are expected to battle with Ajax and FC Twente for the Eredivisie title.

Roda JC

Manager: Harm Van Veldhoven Stadium: Parkstad Limburg Stadion Star man: Mads Junker League position in 2010/11: 6th Roda JC have always had an eye for Belgian talent as they are located near the border. This summer the Dutch club have signed a trio of players from the Belgian Jupiler Pro League - Martijn Monteyne (Germinal Beerschot), Davy de Beule (Kortrijk) and Sanharib Malki (Lokeren). The club have also captured Jagos Vukovic (from PSV on loan), Leon Broekhof (De Graafschap) and Mark-Jan Fledderus (Heracles), while Adil Ramzi has returned from a loan stint at Qatari club Umm Salal. Roda's signings have helped counter the departure of players such as Pa Modou Kah, Willem Janssen and Morten Skoubo. It is likely the club will compete in the top half of the table this season but miss out on European football once again.

VVV Venlo

Manager: Glen de Boeck Stadium: De Koel Star man: Marcel Meeuwis League position in 2010/11: 17th VVV Venlo have signed a completely new midfield this summer in the form of Barry Maguire (FC Utrecht), Marcel Meeuwis (Borussia Monchengladbach) and Rogier Molhoek (Vitesse). The reinforcements have handed VVV a massive boost ahead of the new season. The club have several Nigeria under-21 players in their squad including highly-rated winger Ahmed Musa, who is one to watch this season. The attacker is only 18 years old but has already been linked with a move to the Premier League. VVV's new manager is Belgian coach Glen de Boeck, who had an impressive career as a player at Anderlecht. After a testing campaign last season, De Boeck's side could find themselves in a relegation scrap again this year.

Vitesse

Manager: John van den Brom Stadium: Gelredome Star man: Wilfried Bony League position in 2010/11: 15th It is hard to predict how Vitesse will fare this season. When chairman Merab Jordania arrived last August he stated that the club must be ready to play for the title in 2013. However, this summer the club have only signed a few players. Among their captures are Brazilian twins Alex and Anderson, Ecuador Under-20 international Renato Ibarra and Giorgi Chanturia from Barcelona's youth academy. Goalkeeper Piet Velthuizen has decided to return to his former club on a one-year deal after failing to make an impact in the Primera Liga with Hercules. Vitesse are still on the hunt for three or four new players before the transfer window closes.

RKC Waalwijk

Manager: Ruud Brood Stadium: Mandemakers Stadion Star man: Frank van Mosselveld League position in 2010/11: 1st (Jupiler League) RKC Waalwijk are hot favourites to be relegated from the Eredivisie at the end of the season. The promoted club have seen several players depart this summer in order to cut costs. However, they have signed some players on loan from other clubs such as goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet (PSV and Holland U21) and attacker Rick Ten Voorde (NEC). It is doubtful whether RKC Waalwijk are of a high enough standard to compete in the top-flight.