FC Twente boss Steve McClaren has told his players to remain focused as they close in on a drought-breaking title for the Enschede club.
If results go their way Twente could wrap up the club's first top-flight crown since 1926 during the upcoming midweek round of fixtures. McClaren's side travel to current champions AZ Alkmaar on Tuesday and could open up a seven-point gap over Ajax, who are not in action until Wednesday night when they play Willem II.
With two more rounds to play after this week's fixtures, Twente would be champions if they beat AZ and Ajax lose. McClaren is not concerned by the permutations, however, and has told his players not to look beyond their trip to an AZ side unbeaten in 11 games.
"We must stay focused on our job," he said. "The attitude and energy must be good, the players must help each other. These are the thoughts we have played with all season and if we keep that for this game we will not fail."
Ajax continued their irresistible run of form at the weekend when Luis Suarez and Marko Pantelic both hit hat-tricks in a thumping 7-0 win over VVV Venlo. Martin Jol's side have won 11 games on the trot and will be expected to add to that impressive run against Willem II who sit second-bottom.
PSV Eindhoven striker Danny Koevermans believes his side's hopes of winning the title are over after their goalless draw with Feyenoord at the Philips Stadion on Sunday. Third-placed PSV are seven points behind Twente following the stalemate, after which Koevermans hit out at the home fans for their lack of support.
The 31-year-old has apologised for his outburst on the club's website, but also lamented the end of their title charge.
"With the emotion of the match I have said things I don't believe," he said. "It was stupid what I said. It was frustrating because I believe we are no longer in the race for the championship."
RKC Waalwijk will be relegated on Tuesday unless they win at Heracles Almelo while NAC Breda can break into the Europa League play-off places with victory at Vitesse Arnhem.
On Wednesday night, Sparta Rotterdam face a difficult task to get out of the relegation play-off places with a tough away fixture at fourth-placed Feyenoord. ADO Den Haag, who climbed out of the bottom three with a 2-0 win at FC Utrecht at the weekend, host NEC Nijmegen.
VVV will look to bounce back from their weekend thumping when they travel to Roda JC while Utrecht and FC Groningen will look to consolidate a Europa League play-off place when they meet at Nieuw Galgewaard.
