Ajax wary of tough opener

The Amsterdam club finished six points clear of Feyenoord last season to secure the trophy, and returns to league action on Sunday looking for a similar outcome this time around.

AZ had also been among the contenders last term but eventually settled for a fourth-placed finish, and Sigthorsson admits that is enough to make Ajax sit up and take note.

"AZ sell players every year but they always still have a good team," said the Icelander on www.ajax.nl.

"I find it amazing they only finished fourth last season having scrapped until the end.

"We had problems with them (the clubs played out two draws in the league). They know our game and are physically strong.

"I expect a good match. At any rate, we are happy with where we are at and have prepared well. Hopefully we can show that against AZ."

Feyenoord's season began two weeks ago in Europe, although its Champions League adventure was short-lived with defeat to Dynamo Kiev in the third qualifying round.

Coach Ronald Koeman insists that setback will have no bearing against FC Utrecht this weekend.

"We had two top matches across the two legs and that is something you cannot replicate during training," he said on www.feyenoord.nl.

"We are ready for FC Utrecht."

PSV Eindhoven enjoyed a successful start to the campaign, winning the first piece of domestic silverware last Sunday by beating Ajax in the Johan Cruijff Schaal.

PSV's league challenge begins on Saturday against RKC Waalwijk, and with a new man at the helm after Dick Advocaat took the reins from caretaker coach Phillip Cocu.

The club has strengthened its squad with the additions of Luciano Narsingh, Mathias Jorgensen, Zakaria Labyad and Mark van Bommel.

And Advocaat is confident it can mount a serious title challenge, saying: "With all due respect, PSV are not inferior to any opponent whatsoever, not even Ajax."

The season gets under way when newly-promoted Willem II hosts NAC Breda at the Koning Willem II stadium.

Fellow top-flight newcomer Zwolle begin its season with a trip to Kerkrade to face Roda JC, which will be looking to improve on its 10th-placed finish last term.

VVV-Venlo came through the relegation play-offs to retain its Eredivisie status and will be aiming to start on a winning note at Heracles Almelo on Saturday.

Sunday's matches see NEC Nijmegen travel to Heerenveen, FC Twente meets FC Groningen and Vitesse Arnhem - which qualified for the Europa League via the play-offs - faces ADO Den Haag.