PSV had the chance to seal the Eredivisie title early in round 27, but failed to do so after losing 3-2 to NEC Nijmegen. However, Feyenoord won as well, meaning the Eindhoven giants wouldn't have won a 27th league title either way.
Saturday's loss cut PSV's lead back to 16 points, making the Eredivisie table look as follows:
Feyenoord won, but did so by the skin of their teeth against neighbours Excelsior. NEC won, and Ajax won their first game under interim manager Óscar García. The gap went from 19 to 16 points, so are PSV still on for a record title win?
On pace for all records
If PSV hold on to their 16-point lead, the earliest they could win the Eredivisie title will be on March 22nd against Telstar in round 28. They would also need Feyenoord to lose to Ajax in Sunday's Klassieker derby, which would restore a 19-point lead - a gap impossible to cover with six rounds to go.
Winning it that day would earn PSV the record of the earliest title win in Eredivisie history, breaking their own record from April 8th, 1978, when PSV won their seventh championship.
By rounds, AZ own the record by winning the title in round 28 of the 1980/81 season. Winning the title against Telstar in round 27 would thus break both records.
Competition
Based on current form, no one in the top 4 comes close to PSV. The league leaders won 7 of their last 10 league games, scoring 25 goals and conceding 13 along the way.
Feyenoord are in second place after winning three of their last five Eredivisie matches, but are seemingly falling down a questionable path again by showcasing anything but sparkling play.
Ajax lost the third spot and fell back into fifth after losing 3-1 to FC Groningen on March 7th, but started life under García well with a resounding 4-0 win over Sparta. The Amsterdam giants are now on 47 points, two fewer than NEC.
NEC are now on 49 points after a stunning win on PSV that saw FC Twente, who were unbeaten since October, drop to fifth.
What also plays in PSV's favour is the remaining schedule. PSV have played (and beaten) Feyenoord twice already, while the away game at Ajax - their toughest remaining matchup - will be played in round 31.
Meanwhile, Feyenoord are yet to play Ajax at home (March 22nd) and NEC in Nijmegen (April 12th).
Ajax are set to play the Klassieker derby against Feyenoord next, while Twente (H) and PSV (H) are their toughest remaining matchups.