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

Aiming to keep up the pace at the top of the Eredivisie table, PSV Eindhoven visit the Stadion Galgenwaard on Sunday to take on FC Utrecht.

The away side go in search of a fifth consecutive league victory, while the hosts will be looking to extend their current unbeaten run to four matches.

Match preview

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PSV Eindhoven played out a thrilling 4-4 stalemate against FC Copenhagen in the first leg of their Conference League tie at the Philips Stadion on Thursday.

In a game where Roger Schmidt's men trailed for the majority of the contest, Eran Zahavi forced a share of the spoils with five minutes left on the clock to leave the tie finely poised ahead of the return leg next week.

Prior to that, The Rood-witten breezed past Heracles in a 3-1 victory to remain within two points of current leaders Ajax at the top of the standings.

Going up against an opposing side who have won just one of the last 11 meetings between the teams, PSV will be confident of coming away with the desired result this weekend.

Sunday's visitors, who have also won six of their last seven away games, are now faced with back to back matches on the road in what is set to be a crucial week in the course of the season overall.

Utrecht had to settle for a share of the spoils in their clash against Go Ahead Eagles at De Adelaarshorst on Saturday, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Rene Hake's men fell behind to a Luuk Brouwers opener just past the half-hour mark before Moussa Sylla restored parity with a 76th-minute equaliser.

The Domstedelingen still sit seventh in the standings but have now opened up a seven-point gap over the chasing pack in the race for the last European spot.

Only the current top four sides have picked up more points on home turf than Sunday's hosts, whose only home defeat this season came at the hands of Ajax.

Team News

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Ryan Thomas, Shurandy Sambo and Mees Kreekels will miss the game through knee injuries, while Andre Ramalho continues to struggle with an ankle problem.

The away side will also have to make do with the absence of Maximiliano Romero, who has not featured since late January due to a leg injury.

Cody Gakpo has scored three goals in just over two hours of action since coming back from an injury layoff, and the 22-year-old is one to keep an eye on this weekend.

Utrecht's Reda Akmum is still yet to feature this season due to a long-term knee injury and remains without a timetable regarding his return to action.

Simon Gustafson's involvement this weekend currently hangs in the balance, but it would be no surprise to see the Swedish midfielder take to the field.

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

De Keijzer; Warmerdam, Van der Maarel, Van der Hoorn, Ter Avest; Timber, Maher, Van de Streek; Veerman, Ramselaar, Sylla

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:

Drommel; Max, Boscagli, Teze, Junior; Sangare, Gutierrez, Gotze; Madueke, Zahavi, Veerman

We say: FC Utrecht 1-2 PSV Eindhoven

With only little margin for error in the title race, PSV cannot afford to slip up this weekend against a more than capable Utrecht side. We expect an open and entertaining affair with the away side narrowly edging out their hosts to secure all three points.