PSV Eindhoven take on Feyenoord at De Kuip on Sunday afternoon looking to boost their chances of catching the top two in the Eredivisie standings.
Meanwhile, Feyenoord are hoping to maintain an unbeaten run of form which has moved the club back into contention for a place in the top four.
Match preview
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Having only finished three points adrift of champions Ajax last season, PSV would have had high hopes of going one better this time around, especially with their rivals losing key centre-back Matthijs de Ligt to Juventus.
However, their own form has rendered Ajax's results irrelevant, with PSV still 10 points off the pace despite the league leaders surprisingly losing to Willem II last weekend.
Following a run of just one win from nine matches, Mark van Bommel will feel slightly more encouraged by the 5-0 victory over Fortuna Sittard, but it must mark the start of a prolonged winning streak if PSV are to have any part to play in the title race.
Steven Bergwijn netted from the penalty spot last weekend, taking his tally to five goals in the Eredivisie this season, but PSV require a greater goal return from their star man in the coming months.
While Feyenoord have also endured a disappointing opening half of the season, the arrival of Dick Advocaat has acted as the catalyst for an improved run of results.
Eleven points have been recorded from five matches in the Dutch top flight, leaving Feyenoord just four points adrift of the top four.
Despite the disappointment of an early exit from the Europa League, there is an acknowledgement that securing football on the continent for next season is top priority.
Advocaat will feel that conceding just three goals in their last five league matches should be regarded as a major plus point, although the veteran boss will want to see a better return in the final third.
Only two players - Steven Berghuis and Sam Larsson - have scored more than two goals in the Eredivisie since the beginning of the season.
Feyenoord Eredivisie form: LWWDWD
Feyenoord form (all competitions): WDDWDL
PSV Eindhoven Eredivisie form: LDLWDW
PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions): LWLDWD
Team News
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Advocaat continues to have several players sidelined through injury, with Sven van Beek, Edgar Ie, Rick Karsdorp, Kenneth Vermeer, Ridgeciano Haps all missing this weekend.
The team could remain the same from the goalless draw with Vitesse last weekend, although Larsson is pushing for a recall on the left flank in place of Luis Sinisterra.
Van Bommel could opt to bring Erick Gutierrez into PSV's midfield, potentially in place of Ryan Thomas.
Former Stoke City winger Ibrahim Afellay will also hope to play a part off the substitutes' bench.
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Marsman; Geertruida, Botteghin, Senesi, Malacia; Kokcu, Fer, Toornstra; Berghuis, Jorgensen, Sinisterra
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Unnerstall; Dumfries, Schwaab, Viergever, Sadilek; Rosario, Gutierrez; Doan, Ihattaren, Bergwijn; Malen
We say: Feyenoord 1-3 PSV Eindhoven
While PSV have struggled for consistency throughout this season, we feel that the strong form of their hosts could prove to be a blessing in disguise. Complacency should not be an issue for the visitors, and it could lead to a positive performance at De Kuip.
Darren Plant
