An invincible PSV Eindhoven side face one of their most difficult remaining domestic challenges of the season when they host Feyenoord on Sunday in the Eredivisie.
PSV are on the verge of history this season as their unbeaten league run continues, and they are huge favourites to snatch the title off their upcoming opponents.
Match preview
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Only one club has ever amassed more points at this stage of an Eredivisie season than PSV’s 65, and that was AZ Alkmaar, who achieved a remarkable 67 from 69 in 1980-81.
Two recent draws against Utrecht and Ajax have prevented PSV from absolute perfection, but the league title going unbeaten would still be a special accomplishment.
This is just the seventh time a team has gone unbeaten in the opening 23 games of a Dutch top-flight campaign, and PSV have won 21, including all 11 here at the Philips Stadion – scoring 33.
There was a glut of goals for Roger Schmidt‘s side on the road last weekend as well, as the league leaders thrashed PEC Zwolle 7-1, keeping the lead to Feyenoord at 10 points.
A success this weekend will almost certainly mean it is just a formality until PSV take the title, if not yet mathematically confirmed, and it will be in their best interests to get it wrapped as soon as possible, with interest still in the Champions League after their last 16 first-leg draw with Borussia Dortmund.
PSV can also take confidence from the fact they ended a four-game winless streak at home to Feyenoord in a thrilling 4-3 victory last season too, despite the visitors going on to take the title.
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Anything but a win will end Feyenoord’s slim hopes of catching PSV, but they have already beaten their upcoming opponents this season, in their run to the final of the KNVB Beker – PSV’s only domestic defeat this season.
Even if Feyenoord do spring a surprise here, and win every match for the rest of the season, it is still unlikely they will be able to eat up the gap to PSV, given their irresistible form.
Arne Slot‘s side are also out of Europe, following their defeat on penalties to Roma in the Europa League last week, placing even bigger importance on this clash.
The Beker final against NEC Nijmegen is the only, but very probable, shot at silverware left for the Rotterdam club, and they booked their place in the showpiece occasion by beating Groningen 2-1 in midweek, coming from behind late on thanks to Ondrej Lingr‘s winner.
PSV Eindhoven Eredivisie form:
PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions):
Feyenoord Eredivisie form:
Feyenoord form (all competitions):
Team News
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There are just two injury concerns for PSV coming into this clash, as Noa Lang is out with a hamstring problem, while Guus Til is doubtful with a knock.
Armel Bella-Kotchap could make a comeback to senior action following a shoulder issue, as he played 90 minutes for Jong PSV against Dordrecht in the Eerste Divisie on Monday.
Luuk de Jong is a guaranteed starter, and he surpassed 30 goals for the season with his hat trick at Zwolle last weekend, seeing him also overtake Vangelis Pavlidis at the top of the Eredivisie scoring charts.
Calvin Stengs has picked up a knee injury over the past seven days and is set to miss out for Feyenoord here, but Bart Nieuwkoop should return from illness.
Thomas van den Belt is also doubtful after a hip issue, but the visitors will definitely be without both Gernot Trauner and goalkeeper Justin Bijlow in the defensive third.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh continues to struggle with his fitness, after missing out again in midweek against Groningen, despite briefly returning in the two games prior.
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Teze, Ramalho, Boscagli, Dest; Saibari, Veerman, Tillman; Bakayoko, De Jong, Lozano
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Wellenreuther; Geertruida, Beelen, Hancko, Lopez; Wieffer, Timber, Ivanusec; Minteh, Gimenez, Igor Paixao
We say: PSV Eindhoven 2-0 Feyenoord
A perfect record of 11 wins from 11 at home in the Eredivisie this season illustrates PSV’s utter dominance on Dutch football, and despite Feyenoord’s obvious quality, they will struggle to stop the Eindhoven juggernaut here.
Despite getting the better of PSV in the Beker recently, this will be an incredibly arduous task for Feyenoord, who look set to relinquish their title in the coming weeks.
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