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

Feyenoord have already wrapped up the league title, but the hosts are looking to qualify for the Champions League, while the visitors will be hoping to keep themselves in a strong position to qualify for the Europa Conference League playoffs.

Match preview

PSV have been very strong all season, collecting 71 points from their 32 games up to this point, which means they are in second place, five points clear of third-placed Ajax, but they trail league leaders Feyenoord by eight points.

As such, the Red and Whites are unable to catch the club from Rotterdam, but the game on Sunday is still important, as a victory would mathematically confirm their place in the qualification round for the Champions League.

If Ruud van Nistelrooy's side are able to qualify for Europe's elite competition, then this campaign can only be considered a success, particularly considering they won the KNVB Beker earlier this month, defeating Ajax on penalties in the final.

In their last 14 Eredivisie games, PSV have won 11 and drawn three, and they have been formidable at home all season, collecting 43 points at the Philips Stadion, the most of any side in the Eredivisie.

Not only that, but the Red and Whites are undefeated in their last nine games against Sunday's opponents, winning the reverse fixture 1-0 earlier this season, meaning they will be full of confidence heading into the game.

Indeed, Heerenveen have a poor recent record against their opponents, and it will be a huge ask to get a point on Sunday, never mind three points, but it is an absolutely crucial game in their push for Europe.

De Superfriezen are currently in eighth place, the last position which grants qualification to the Conference League playoffs, but they are only one point clear of Waalwijk, who take on FC Twente at the same time.

Kees van Wonderen's side have collected the vast majority of their points this season on the road, however, which could give them some confidence heading into the game, and they managed to pick up a draw away at high-flying AZ Alkmaar back in April.

Heerenveen were also victorious in their last away match, defeating NEC 3-2 after late goals from Sydney van Hooijdonk and Antoine Colassin, although they could not follow that result up with a win last time out, drawing 0-0 at home against SBV Excelsior.

PSV Eindhoven Eredivisie form:

W

W

W

W

W

W

PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

W

Heerenveen Eredivisie form:

D

W

L

L

W

D

Team News

PSV have a couple of notable absentees, with Mauro Junior set to miss out due to a knee injury, while Armando Obispo is unavailable due to a similar issue, which has ruled him out of the last eight games.

Van Nistelrooy has been known to make changes this season, such is the depth of his squad, and it would not be a surprise if Anwar El-Ghazi is brought in at right-wing, replacing Johan Bakayoko, who has failed to make his mark on the last few games.

Fabio Silva impressed as a substitute last time out, assisting the second goal, but Luuk de Jong is more likely to get the nod in attack, having scored five goals in his last seven games.

As for Heerenveen, first-choice goalkeeper Andries Noppert is still out with a hip issue, so Xavier Mous will get the nod between the sticks, fresh off the back of a clean sheet in his last match.

Colassin was rewarded with a start against Excelsior last weekend after scoring the winner against NEC, but he failed to make an impact on the game, being brought off on the hour mark, and the more familiar face of Pelle van Amersfoort should be brought back in at left-wing.

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:

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

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:

Mous; Van Ewijk, Bruma, Bochniewicz, Kohlert; Haye, Tahiri, Nunnely, Sahraoui, Van Amersfoort; Van Hooijdonk

We say: PSV Eindhoven 4-0 Heerenveen

PSV Eindhoven have been fantastic at home all season, defeating Ajax 3-0 at the Philips Stadion in late April, and they are undefeated in front of their own fans since November.

As such, we expect a routine victory for the Red and Whites this weekend, which would confirm their place in the qualification round of the Champions League.

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