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

Second-placed PSV Eindhoven welcome Groningen to the Philips Stadion on Saturday in search of a third consecutive victory.

The visitors, on the other hand, have the opportunity to record back-to-back away triumphs for the first time this season.

Match preview

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PSV eased past VVV-Venlo in a 2-0 win on Sunday to move back into second place on the log after AZ Alkmaar had temporarily leapfrogged them a day before.

Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen were the goalscorers as Roger Schmidt's men claimed a joint league-high 11th home victory of the campaign.

While the Rood-witten's pursuit of Ajax looks to be over, a return to the Champions League for the first time in two years would be a significant achievement.

Next up for the 24-time Dutch champions is a clash against a side that they will be seeking to complete a league double over following a 3-1 victory when the sides last met in September.

Saturday's hosts are unbeaten in their last six matches against the visitors on home turf with the last defeat coming back in 2014.

Groningen were defeated for the first time in eight home games on Sunday when Heerenveen came out on top by two goals to nil.

The encounter was level at half time, but second-half goals from Henk Veerman and Tibor Halilovic in a 15-minute spell settled the contest.

Danny Buijs's men are sixth in the Eredivisie table, and they are on course to better last season's ninth-place finish.

However, The Green-White Army still have work to do in that regard as the ongoing season enters into its final knockings.

Team News

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After a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a groin injury, Arjen Robben made his long-awaited return to action last time out.

In the same game, Ramon-Pascal Lundqvist also featured for the first time since March as he come on as a second-half substitute alongside his Dutch teammate.

Mauro Junior is ruled out through a knee injury, but the Brazilian is not far off a comeback after missing the last six weeks of action.

Richard Ledezma and Maximiliano Romero have both had their seasons ended prematurely, picking up ACL and knee injuries respectively.

Nineteen-year-old Mees Kreekels is expected to sit the game out with a knee injury, ruling out any chances of his debut for the first team.

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:

Mvogo; Max, Viergever, Teze, Dumfries; Rosario, Boscagli, Gotze; Gakpo, Malen, Zahavi

Groningen possible starting lineup:

Padt; Van Hintum, Itakura, Te Wierik, Dankerlui; Schreck, Van Kaam; Suslov, El Hankouri, Da Cruz; Strand Larsen

We say: PSV Eindhoven 2-0 Groningen

PSV's impeccable record on home turf so far makes them the favourites for this one, and we expect them to live up to expectations by claiming all three points.