League Focus: Eredivisie 2014/15 Preview - Ajax's Chance to Make History

If one word could describe the Eredivisie it is "engrossing". Unpredictability borne out of the annual summer upheaval – today's economic reality means Dutch clubs find it difficult to retain the experience and cohesion forged over the past 12-18 months – leading to its competitive nature. Since the leagues inception in 1956 no team has managed to win five consecutive championships; the feeling among many observers is that it's all about to change. History will be re-written by Frank de Boer and Ajax.

The cornerstone behind their latest domestic supremacy has been De Boer's system. No longer relying on individuals, anyone can be replaced, and reintroducing Ajax's traditional game absent for much of the time between his departure as a player in 1998 and appointment as manager in December 2010.

With heavy emphasis on ball circulation, averaging an 85.8% pass accuracy and 62.6% of possession in 2013/14, Ajax are able to control matches, in the process reducing the likelihood of defeat (three suffered last season). More importantly their possession-based game is their greatest defensive weapon; opponents can't harm you without the ball - no defence was meaner last season (28 goals conceded).

Despite their status as first among equals De Boer will point out they haven't exactly strolled to the finishing line in their four successive championships. What has set them apart, though, is the knack of winning games; nine of their 20 victories last season came by a one-goal margin. It has ultimately been the difference and could prove to be so once again. Nonetheless the gauntlet has been thrown, and would be usurpers – Feyenoord, PSV, FC Twente and Vitesse – know they'll need to raise their game. Clichéd as it might sound, if a side does finish above De Boer's men they're certain to be champions.

Feyenoord, chasing a first title in 16 years, and FC Twente, winners in 2010, both outgunned Ajax (69) last season – with 76 and 72 goals respectively – but have parted ways with their main contributors: Graziano Pellè (responsible for 30% of Feyenoord’s goals) and Dušan Tadić (22% of Twente’s). Along with PSV they are the greatest threat to Ajax's throne. Phillip Cocu's talented side finished in a respectable fourth place, with inconsistency, characteristic of a young team, proving their undoing. One positive was Memphis Depay and with 12 goals and seven assists, his WhoScored rating of 7.72 was only bettered by Pellè and Tadić.

At one stage last season it looked like Vitesse’s wait for an inaugural championship would come to an end – no team had more shots in total (18.1) or efforts on target (7) per game. Heading into the second half of 2013/14 level with Ajax however, they would suffer an extreme case of stage fright, with four wins and six defeats compared to 11 wins and 3 defeats in the first. The lack of European football should be an advantage but that was also the case last season. Peter Bosz will need to show lessons have been learnt.

It goes without saying the newly promoted clubs Willem II, FC Dordrecht and Excelsior won't have it easy. Survival will be on their mind but they can take heart from SC Cambuur and Go Ahead Eagles, finishing 12th and 13th respectively last season, who will both be determined to avoid the dreaded 'second-season syndrome'.

NAC Breda, along with Heracles, finished above the relegation zone, though eight victories was the least amount of any team who stayed up. Only SC Cambuur (40) scored less than Nebojša Gudelj's side (42), whose average of 11 shots and 15.8 shots conceded per game amount to leagues worst and fourth highest respectively.

Because of its reputation as a 'developmental league' – the unique selling point being the flourishing of talents in an attack-minded competition (978 goals in 306 games last season) – rarely does a player at or near their peak arrive. Luuk de Jong – once touted as the next top Dutch 'number nine' during his FC Twente days – is an exception.

He's joined PSV after a disappointing spell at Borussia Mönchengladbach (eight goals in 45 games) and on loan at Newcastle United (0 goals in 12 games) between January-May 2014. His brother Siem, who captained Ajax in their last two title-winning seasons, recently moved to St James' Park and is hoping to fare better.

Across the league there's great emphasis on having a strong youth set-up and scouting network, with the majority of new faces either individuals unearthed or discovered abroad. The ones who leave have only shown potential – a future Ballon d'Or nominee could be playing his trade in Eredivisie this upcoming campaign.

Will Ajax win a fifth consecutive Eredivisie title? Let us know in the comments below