Preview: PSV Eindhoven vs. FC Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, the away side set out to return to winning ways having seen their run of four games without a defeat come to an end last time out.

Match preview

PSV Eindhoven secured a second straight Europa League group-stage victory on Thursday evening when they handed out a 5-0 thrashing to FC Zurich.

Goals from Erick Gutierrez, Joey Veerman and Ibrahim Sangare saw Ruud van Nistelrooy's men head into the break with a commanding lead before second-half goals from Veerman and Anwar El-Ghazi added more gloss to the scoreline.

Prior to that, the Rood-Witten narrowly saw off the threat of Heerenveen in a 1-0 win and currently sit third in the Eredivisie table, two points shy of leaders AZ Alkmaar.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have largely been on the receiving end in this fixture with just one win in the last 12 meetings between the teams.

Ahead of a crunch European affair against Premier League giants Arsenal four days later, Sunday's hosts will be looking to set the tone with a dominant display this weekend.

Having failed to taste defeat since defeat, FC Utrecht fell to a 2-1 loss against AZ Alkmaar in Sunday's meeting between the sides at the Stadion Galgenwaard.

Henk Fraser's men went behind to Myron van Brederode's opener before they were breached midway through the second half by Yukinari Sugawara after which Moussa Sylla pulled one back in stoppage time.

Consequently, The Domstedelingen have dropped down to ninth place in the standings, albeit only one point off the last Conference League playoff spot.

Off the back of consecutive triumphs on the road heading into Saturday's contest, the away side go in search of another feather in the cap on enemy territory.

PSV Eindhoven Eredivisie form:

W

L

W

W

L

W

PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

W

W

FC Utrecht Eredivisie form:

L

W

W

D

W

L

Team News

Twenty-four-year-old Olivier Boscagli remains unavailable for PSV Eindhoven due to a knee injury, while Noni Madueke misses out through an ankle injury.

The home side will also be without the services of Mauro Junior and Yorbe Vertessen who continue to battle with groin and muscle injuries respectively.

Erick Gutierrez was handed a rare start in midweek and the midfielder could retain his place in the starting lineup after impressing after Zurich.

Utrecht's duo of Ramon Hendriks and Tommy St. Jago are currently down with long-term knee injuries and will not play any part this weekend.

Morocco international Mimouni Mahi is set to miss a seventh match on the bounce through a muscle injury but he is drawing increasingly closer to a return to action.

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:

Benitez; Mwene, Ramalho, Obispo, Max; Sangare, Veerman, Til; Gakpo, Simons, El-Ghazi

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; Klaiber, Van der Maarel, Sagnan, Warmerdam; Brouwers, Bozdogan, Van de Streek; Maeda, Dost, Redan

We say: PSV Eindhoven 3-1 FC Utrecht

Previews by email