Amsterdam, the Netherlands (My Sportsbook) - Second-place Feyenoord travels to fourth-place Ajax Sunday for a pivotal Eredivisie encounter.

Neither club can afford to drop further behind leaders PSV Eindhoven if they hope to win the league. Feyenoord is four points back while Ajax trails its arch-rival by eight.

Ajax has won two straight domestic matches, but was embarrassed during a 2-1 Champions League loss to Maccabi Tel-Aviv on October 3. A loss to Feyenoord Sunday would leave Ajax's title hopes in shambles.

"No matter how bad our season is, we will not lose to Feyenoord," declared Ajax defender Nigel de Jong.

Ajax will be without John O'Brien due to a pulled hamstring he suffered during the 3-1 win over Willem II last Sunday. The American international is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Feyenoord has won eight of its 11 Eredivisie matches this season. The club has also been impressive in Europe as it is tied atop its UEFA Cup group with Schalke.

"Most people think we have the best chances for Sunday. We have a lot of faith and we smell blood, in a way," said Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt. "Ajax have had a very difficult period and whether their win at Willem II was the turning point is yet to be seen."

Kuyt and fellow Feyenoord striker Salomon Kalou lead the league with nine goals each.

Feyenoord will be without defender Chong-Gug Song and midfielder Pascal Bosschaart due to suspension. Sunday will mark the 99th meeting between the Dutch powers.

Leaders PSV Eindhoven will host Willem II on Saturday. Guus Hiddink's team is unbeaten domestically this season, and leads its Champions League group.

"We'll have to be sharp, in particular during games following a Champions League week," said Hiddink. "Then it is high time to do the basic work. But actually we should be sharp at all games. We must work hard and be committed, keep a strict organization and stay concentrated all the time. Not just in the big games, but always."

Willem is currently eighth in the table with 17 points from 11 games, and will need leading scorer Martijn Reuser to strike if they hope to pull off the upset.

WEEKEND EREDIVISIE FIXTURES:

FRIDAY:

Den Haag - Roosendaal

SATURDAY:

NAC Breda - Alkmaar

PSV Eindhoven - Willem II

Heerenveen - Vitesse

NEC - Twente

SUNDAY:

Ajax - Feyenoord

Groningen - Den Bosch

Utrecht - Roda

Waalwijk - De Graafschap