Feyenoord take on PSV Eindhoven in a top-of-the-table Eredivisie clash at De Kuip on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts are currently first in the standings, four points clear of third-placed PSV, so the game could be of huge significance in the title race.
Match preview
© Reuters
Feyenoord are faring very well in their bid to bring home a first Eredivisie title since the 2016-17 season, but they are only two points clear of second-placed AZ Alkmaar, and it is very closely-contested near the top of the table.
As such, it is imperative that De club aan de Maas keep up their exceptional league form, currently on a run of 12 games without defeat, a run that began after a 4-3 defeat against Sunday's opponents back in September.
Arne Slot's side have the second-best defensive record in the league, conceding just 16 goals all season, with only three of these coming at home, recording a 2-0 win against NEC in their last match at De Kuip.
Down the other end of the pitch, Feyenoord have been prolific, netting 43 goals in 19 matches, and the last time they failed to score in a game was way back in August, in a 0-0 home draw against Heerenveen.
Last time out, Slot's side picked up a decent point away at fifth-placed FC Twente, drawing 1-1 after Santiago Gimenez's opener was cancelled out by a second half goal from Joshua Brenet.
© Reuters
PSV are still well within reach of the summit of the Eredivisie table, but they will need to start cutting out silly defeats, having lost in away trips to FC Emmen and Groningen, handing the latter opponents their only home win of the season so far.
The Red and Whites have fared much better against the sides near the top of the division, having defeated Ajax 2-1 at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, while they have also looked solid in the Europa League, running out 2-0 winners against first-placed Premier League side Arsenal.
In their 19 league games so far, Ruud van Nistelrooy's side have scored 47 goals, the second-best record in the Dutch top flight, although Cody Gakpo joining Liverpool last month will be a blow to their attacking threat.
Against Go Ahead Eagles in their last match, PSV ran out 2-0 winners after goals from Joey Veerman and Anwar El-Ghazi in either half, but they will know Sunday's game is likely to be a far tougher test, having not won at De Kuip since February 2018.
Team News
© Reuters
Feyenoord have a couple of injury issues, one being long-term absentee Gernot Trauner, who will miss out due to a knee injury, so Lutsharel Geertruida and David Hancko are set to keep their places in the centre of defence.
A more recent blow for Slot to contend with is the knee injury suffered by Sebastian Szymanski, with the attacking midfielder being withdrawn at half time in the last match, and he will be a big miss, considering he has six goals and four assists in the Eredivisie this season.
Quinten Timber replaced Szymanski for the second half against Twente, and so the 21-year-old is the likely choice for a starting place, playing provider for Gimenez in attack, who has four goals to his name this term.
As for PSV, Mauro Junior is serving the second game of his suspension, having been sent off in the 1-0 defeat away at Emmen, so Philipp Mwene is poised to start at left-back.
Since the departure of Gakpo, Luuk de Jong has been a regular starter at striker, although he has not scored in his last six competitive games, so new signing Fabio Silva could be brought into the attack.
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Bijlow; Pedersen, Geertruida, Hancko, Hartman; Kokcu, Wieffer, Timber; Dilrosun, Jahanbakhsh, Gimenez
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Teze, Branthwaite, Obispo, Mwene; Sangare, Veerman, Simons, Til, El-Ghazi; Silva
We say: Feyenoord 1-0 PSV Eindhoven
It is a tough game to call, given that very little separates the two sides in the standings, but Feyenoord are league leaders for a reason, and home advantage means they should be good enough to pick up a big three points.
Slot's side have been in exceptional form of late, while PSV have struggled in some away trips against weaker opponents, so we expect Feyenoord to end the day still top of the table.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
