PSV Eindhoven will be looking to move a step closer to the Eredivisie title when they face Go Ahead Eagles on Friday night.
At a time when the visitors are 10 points clear at the top of the standings, the home side are in sixth and still very much in the race for fourth.
Match preview
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PSV have most certainly not hit the heights of before Christmas, yet that is not to say that Peter Bosz's side can still not be satisfied with their recent performances.
Although they have recorded draws in three of their last seven fixtures, those stalemates came against Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Feyenoord, the latter occurring at the weekend.
Having fallen behind in the 61st minute, PSV were still able to secure a share of the spoils that keeps them 10 points clear of their only challengers for the title.
That also extended their unbeaten run in the Eredivisie this season to 24 matches, dropping points in just three games, and PSV are already at a point where they only require a maximum of seven wins from their remaining 10 fixtures to win the title.
While a trip to Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie is to come on March 13, Bosz will be fully focused on this game, aware that their hosts have the qualities to cause an upset.
Few people would have foreseen Go Ahead Eagles in the lofty heights of sixth position this season, particularly when their form dropped off either side of the winter break.
Nevertheless, they have since managed to register 14 points from their last seven top-flight fixtures, with their only defeat coming away at third-placed Twente.
None of the top five have been played during that run, something that should be taken into consideration when judging their recent form, but three away wins and four clean sheets is an outstanding effort.
During December and January, Rene Hake's side suffered three consecutive defeats at De Adelaarshorst, but they have since responded with two draws and a 1-0 victory over RKC Waalwijk at the weekend.
Team News
Barring any fresh injury issues, there is every chance that Hake will select the same Go Ahead Eagles XI that edged past RKC Waalwijk.
Luca Everink should retain his spot at right-back having made his first start of the season last time out, while Jakob Breum will feel that he has done enough to keep out Oliver Edvardsen after netting his third goal of the campaign in that same match.
Guus Til is in line for a recall to the PSV starting lineup after he scored the equaliser against Feyenoord as a substitute, netting his eighth league goal of 2023-24.
Mauro Junior may be the player to miss out in the middle of the pitch, while Armel Bella-Kotchap and Patrick van Aanholt are alternatives in defence if Bosz wishes to rest players ahead of the trip to Dortmund.
The likes of Joey Veerman and Noa Lang are still expected to be sidelined for this fixture.
Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:
Lange; Everink, Nauber, Kramer, Kuipers; Llansana, Willumsson, Linthorst; Tengstedt, Stokkers, Breum
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Teze, Ramalho, Boscagli, Van Aanholt; Schouten, Til; Bakayoko, Tillman, Lozano; De Jong
We say: Go Ahead Eagles 1-3 PSV Eindhoven
Although Go Ahead Eagles notably lost to Twente in recent weeks, that should not automatically lead you to assume that PSV will make light work of them. Nevertheless, we are still backing the visitors, even though they will have one eye on their upcoming Champions League fixture.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
