Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven will continue their quest to secure back-to-back league crowns when they face off against Willem II at the Philips Stadion on Saturday.
A run of four wins from their last five matches has the home side feeling good about themselves heading into this weekend's affair, but the visitors could really do with a pick-me-up, having failed to win any of their last four outings.
Match preview
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PSV Eindhoven saw their title challenge dealt a significant blow as they inexplicably threw away a two-goal advantage in the final knockings of their clash against NEC which ended in a 3-3 thriller at Stadion de Goffert on Saturday.
Off the back of a relatively uneventful opening half, strikes from Luuk De Jong, Ismael Saibari and Johan Bakayoko either side of Sami Ouaissa's strike had put Peter Bosz's men in the driving seat before Kento Shiogai and Bryan Linssen struck in the final knockings to force a share of the spoils.
Despite dropping two points in an agonising manner, De Rood-witten waste no time putting their league disappointment behind them as they romped to a convincing 2-0 triumph over Feyenoord in the KNVB Beker last eight.
Now just one game away from the Dutch Cup final, PSV also remain in the hunt for a historic treble as they sit top of the Eredivisie table, three points clear of nearest challengers Ajax, who have, however, played one game fewer.
The reigning Eredivisie champions also have a two-legged Champions League tie against Juventus to navigate as part of a crucial February schedule, but in the meantime, the focus will be on securing all three points against an opposing side on a run of seven defeats from the last 10 meetings.
Saturday's hosts have racked up 26 goals in that time, and you would not bet against them claiming another emphatic victory in this fixture on their home turf, where they are averaging 3.7 goals per game this term.
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Willem II were comprehensively beaten 6-2 by FC Twente in their opening outing of 2025 on January 12, and that has set the tone for what has been a disappointing year to date, albeit with only four games played.
Peter Maes's men managed a 1-1 stalemate against Feyenoord in their sophomore outing this year before falling to a pair of 2-0 defeats at the hands of RKC Waalwijk and, most recently, AZ Alkmaar last time out.
In a game where De Superkruiken barely managed any significant attacking threat, Troy Parrott's penalty and Sven Mijnans's strike were enough to settle matters, but there was still time for Jeremy Bokila to get himself sent off for two bookable offences.
Managing just one point from their last four matches, Willem II have been sucked into a relegation scrap with just three points now separating them from the bottom three as things stand.
Having shipped 10 goals across their last three away matches, Saturday's visitors will need to address their recent defensive frailties on enemy territory to avoid being on the receiving end of another drubbing this weekend.
Team News
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Sergino Dest and Ricardo Pepi are both out of contention for PSV here through respective knee injuries, with the former still yet to make his season debut.
Fode Fofana is also expected to miss out this weekend, although the Dutchman is drawing increasingly closer to making a comeback alongside Malik Tillman (ankle).
Following his opener against Feyenoord, Johan Bakayoko is currently on a three-game scoring streak for the home side, making him definitely one to keep an eye on.
Willem II's Dani Mathieu continues to battle with a long-term injury that has sidelined him since a pre-season friendly encounter against Dordrecht back in mid-July.
The away side are also set to be without the services of 21-year-old Amine Lachkar, who is nursing a groin problem, while Jeremy Bokila is ineligible to feature after he was sent off last time out.
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Junior, Obispo, Flamingo, Ledezma; Veerman, Schouten; Perisic, Saibari, Bakayoko; De Jong
Willem II possible starting lineup:
Didillon; Sigurgeirsson, Schouten, Behounek, St. Jago, Tirpan; Fatah, Meerveld, Lambert, Sandra; Vaesen
We say: PSV Eindhoven 4-0 Willem II
All evidence points to a routine win for the home side, and we fully expect them to rise up to expectations and get the job done convincingly when all is said and done here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
