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Preview: PSV Eindhoven vs. Fortuna Sittard - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 12 May 2023, 21:46
PSV Eindhoven take on Fortuna Sittard at the Philips Stadion on Sunday afternoon, in the latest round of Eredivisie fixtures.

The hosts are still technically able to win the title at time of writing, but only if Feyenoord fail to win the earlier kickoff, while the visitors are in 12th place.

Match preview

It will be a big ask for PSV to win the Eredivisie title, as although they are currently in second place, they are eight points behind league-leaders Feyenoord, with just three games left to play.

The Red and Whites have managed to put the pressure on as much as possible in the second half of the campaign, picking up 36 points in their last 15 games, having lost just once, but they are very unlikely to win their first league title since 2018.

Ruud van Nistelrooy's side have had some success this season, however, winning the KNVB Beker at the end of April, beating Ajax on penalties at De Kuip, after drawing 1-1 during regular time.

As such, Van Nistelrooy is likely to be happy with his first full season in charge at the Philips Stadion, and his side could make it eight wins on the spin in all competitions if they run out victorious again this weekend.

Last time out, PSV picked up a 1-0 win away at Sparta Rotterdam to maintain an outside chance of winning the Eredivisie, with Anwar El-Ghazi's second-half strike proving to be the difference between the two sides.

Fortuna Sittard have also taken some strides this season, given that they finished just one point above the relegation zone last term, as they are well clear of any trouble at the wrong end of the Eredivisie table.

Sittard have collected 35 points from 31 games, which leaves them seven points clear of the bottom three with three games to spare, meaning they are almost certain to maintain their Eredivisie status.

Julio Velazquez's side have not been overly impressive in recent weeks, losing five of their last seven games, four of which they failed to score in, but they recorded a vital victory against Vitesse last time out.

Goals from Paul Gladon and Umaro Embalo wrapped up a 2-0 victory for Sittard, although they were perhaps a little fortunate on the balance of play, with their opponents dominating possession and having double the amount of shots.

However, all that matters at this stage of the season is the result, and Fortunezen managed to dig out an important three points, but they face far tougher opposition on Sunday, having failed to beat PSV since 1999.

PSV Eindhoven Eredivisie form:

D

W

W

W

W

W

PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

W

Fortuna Sittard Eredivisie form:

L

W

L

L

L

W

Team News

El-Ghazi was called upon as a substitute last weekend, scoring the only goal of the game in the second half, and the right-winger is likely to be rewarded with a start for PSV, replacing Johan Bakayoko.

Luuk de Jong was also withdrawn early last time out, with the striker now without a goal in his last two games, and Van Nistelrooy could give the nod to Fabio Silva in attack.

Both Mauro Junior and Armando Obispo remain on the sidelines due to knee injuries, with Koen Jansen also unavailable.

As for Fortuna Sittard, Thomas Buitink is absent because of a knee injury, meaning Gladon should lead the line once again, having scored his fifth goal of the season last weekend.

Top-scorer Burak Yilmaz will also miss out due to injury, having missed the last three games, while George Cox could be replaced by Remy Vita at left-back.

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:

Benitez; Teze, Ramalho, Branthwaite, Van Aanholt; Til, Gutierrez, Veerman; El-Ghazi, Simons, Silva

Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:

Pandur; Pinto, Guth, Navarro, Vita; Erdogan, Bistrovic, Noslin, Cordoba, Embalo; Gladon

We say: PSV Eindhoven 3-0 Fortuna Sittard

PSV Eindhoven have a fantastic record against Fortuna Sittard, having won 13 and drawn two of the last 15 meetings between the two sides, and they should have no trouble cruising to an easy victory on Sunday.

Van Nistelrooy's side have the best home record in the division, collecting 40 points in 15 games, and they are very likely to take all three points in their penultimate match at the Philips Stadion.

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