Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven will welcome third-tier side Koninklijke HFC to Philips Stadion on Tuesday in the second round of the KNVB Beker, and the winner will qualify for the round of 16.
The top-flight hosts are first in their league with 42 points from 16 fixtures and are yet to play a game in Tuesday's competition, while their opponents are ninth in the Tweede Divisie with 24 points after 17 matchweeks and beat Emmen 1-0 in the previous round of the KNVB Cup on October 31.
Match preview
© Imago
PSV are currently six points clear of second-placed FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie, and their records of 56 goals scored and 13 conceded are the division's best.
The hosts were beaten 1-0 by Heerenveen in the Eredivisie on Saturday, and boss Peter Bosz will no doubt be concerned that his side only created one big chance despite accumulating 64% possession.
Bosz's side also suffered an identical loss against Brest in the Champions League on December 10, and the defeat meant that they ended matchweek six in 23rd place with eight points, the second last round of 16 playoff spot.
Rood-witten were eliminated from the KNVB Cup in the round of 16 on January 24 when they lost 1-0 against Feyenoord.
The home team won all six of their games prior to their two most recent defeats, and they have also triumphed in nine of their past 10 matches at Philips Stadion.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Koninklijke managed to eliminate second-tier side Emmen, creating two big chances and limiting their opponents to just one big chance.
The visitors are ninth in the Tweede Divisie with 24 points after 17 games, but it should be noted that there is no promotion or relegation from the amateur league.
Head coach Gertjan Tamerus's side are in mixed form, with the club having lost three, drawn one and triumphed in three of their last seven matches.
Tamerus's team have been defeated in four of their six most recent away fixtures, winning just once in that period.
- W
- W
- L
- L
- W
- L
- D
- W
Team News
© Imago
The hosts' squad is almost entirely available other than winger Couhaib Driouech, as well as centre-back Adamo Nagalo and left-back Sergino Dest.
Goalkeeper Joel Drommel is likely to start, while Mauro Junior, Ryan Flamingo, Matteo Dams and Fredrik Oppegard could be fielded in a back four.
Gus Til, Jerdy Schouten and Malik Tillman may be chosen in midfield behind forwards Ivan Perisic, Luuk de Jong and Isaac Babadi.
Koninklijke may protect goalkeeper Mitchel Michaelis with a back three consisting of Ruben Heeremans, Rano Burger and Jim Hulleman.
In midfield, Koen Tros could be partnered by Gerry Vlak, while striker Marios Lomis may be supported Jan Muller and Dico Jap Tjong.
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Drommel; Junior, Flamingo, Dams, Oppegard; Til, Schouten, Tillman; Perisic, De Jong, Babadi
Koninklijke HFC possible starting lineup:
Michaelis; Heeremans, Burger, Hulleman; Frimpong, Vlak, Tros, Van den Berg; Muller, Lomis, Tjong
We say: PSV Eindhoven 4-0 Koninklijke HFC
PSV should be considered strong favourites given they are facing an amateur side and have performed excellently in the Dutch top flight so far this season.
It would not be surprising if the hosts beat Koninklijke by multiple goals and booked their place in the round of 16.
No Data Analysis info
Lewis Nolan
