AZ go into Saturday's game away to Vitesse Arnhem all but assured of their first league crown in 28 years as they hold an 11-point lead over FC Twente and Ajax with 12 points left to play for.

A victory would guarantee Van Gaal's men the title, while they would also be crowned champions if Steve McClaren's Twente fail to win at Feyenoord tomorrow and Ajax do not beat PSV Eindhoven on Sunday.

But former Ajax boss Van Gaal feels winning the title the following weekend, when he takes his side to the Amsterdam ArenA, would be even more special.

"That would be more beautiful for me", Van Gaal, who won three Eredivisie titles, the 1992 UEFA Cup and the 1995 Champions League during his time in charge of Ajax, said in De Telegraaf newspaper.

But he added: "I would of course be very glad if it happened on Saturday. That would be most beautiful for the supporters."

AZ's test against a Vitesse side now surely safe from relegation looks far easier than Twente's trip to Feyenoord, who are pushing for a place in the Europa League, or Ajax's visit to defending champions PSV.

Feyenoord are recovering after a woeful start to the season and hammered Heracles Almelo 5-1 last time out, while forward Jon Dahl Tomasson is in contention for a return from injury.

PSV will be looking to close out a season in which they have meekly surrendered their title on a high and still have plenty of work to do to secure a place in Europe next season.

The other end of the table is far tighter, with just three points separating basement boys FC Volendam and ADO Den Haag, one place outside the relegation places.

ADO travel to Willem II and Volendam are at home to Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday, while second-bottom De Graafschap welcome FC Groningen and Roda JC, third from bottom, travel to NEC Nijmegen the previous day.

This weekend's action gets under way tomorrow night when Heracles face NAC Breda.

FC Utrecht face Heerenveen on Sunday.