Preview:PSV Eindhoven vs Sparta Rotterdam - prediction, team news, lineups

PSV Eindhoven will look to begin the defence of their Eredivisie crown on a high when they welcome Sparta Rotterdam to the Philips Stadion on Saturday evening.

The visitors will be aiming to cause an upset and spoil the champions' party, having ended last season in mid-table but with positive momentum and an impressive pre-season run.

Match preview

Peter Bosz's side closed out last season in dramatic fashion, with second-half goals from Luuk de Jong and Malik Tillman securing a 3-1 away win at Sparta Rotterdam that clinched back-to-back Eredivisie titles. They edged rivals Ajax by a single point, finishing on 79 points to make it 26 league titles in the club's history.

Now, they kick off the new campaign against the same opponents who witnessed their title coronation in May.

PSV will be buoyed by their pre-season form, having claimed victories over Union Saint-Gilloise, Elversberg, Athletic Club and FC Eindhoven, before securing the Johan Cruyff Shield with a 2-1 win over Go Ahead Eagles.

While the summer has seen significant upheaval, with key departures including De Jong to Porto, Tillman to Leverkusen, Johan Bakayoko to RB Leipzig, and Noa Lang to Napoli, there is renewed optimism in Eindhoven.

Reinforcements have arrived, including defenders Yarek Gasiorowski and Kiliann Sildillia, goalkeeper duo Nick Olij and Matej Kovar, as well as attacking options Ruben van Bommel and Alassane Plea. The latter, a seasoned forward from Borussia Monchengladbach, could lead the line in the absence of De Jong.

Sparta Rotterdam, meanwhile, ended last term in 12th place with 39 points, a respectable return that reflected their resilience. They managed to avoid defeat in nine of their last 11 league games and showed enough structure and grit to suggest they can push for a top-half finish this term.

Maurice Steijn’s men have enjoyed a busy off-season in the transfer market, bolstering their squad with experience and depth.

New arrivals include goalkeepers Joel Drommel and Filip Bednarek, defenders Bruno Martins Indi and Max de Ligt, midfielders Julian Baas, Jens Toornstra and Lance Duijvestijn, and forwards Ayoub Oufkir and Nokkvi Thorisson.

Pre-season results have been encouraging, with Sparta notching wins over OFI, ADO Den Haag and FC Dordrecht, while also managing a draw with De Graafschap. The only blemish came in a narrow loss to Willem II.

These outings have offered Steijn a chance to tinker with his preferred 4-2-2-2 shape, one that offers width and pressing energy but requires defensive discipline.

They return to the Philips Stadion with a daunting record against Saturday's hosts, as Sparta have not beaten PSV in their last six meetings, losing five and drawing one. The most recent encounter, a 3-1 defeat on home soil, sealed the title for their opponents. Goals from De Jong and Tillman again proved decisive.

Despite a solid foundation and new faces, Sparta’s challenge remains immense. Key players such as Tobias Lauritsen and Duijvestijn are nursing injuries, while Jonathan de Guzman and Mike Kleijn remain doubtful. In a fixture where fine margins often dictate the tone, the absence of first-team regulars could tilt the balance further in PSV’s favour.

Team News

PSV head into the weekend clash with a clean bill of health and no suspensions. All players are eligible for selection, giving Bosz the luxury of choosing from a full squad.

The Dutchman has options at his disposal, and the system remains fluid. While several new faces are still settling in, early signs suggest this squad can maintain last season's high standards. The full complement of players is available for selection, and fringe players will hope to seize opportunities early in the campaign.

Sparta are currently dealing with a growing injury list ahead of a crucial fixture. Tobias Lauritsen is ruled out with a hand injury, while Duijvestijn is not expected to return until mid-August. There is still no clear timeline for the recoveries of Jonathan de Guzman and left-back Mike Kleijn.

Although Sparta have built a solid foundation and brought in fresh talent, the task ahead remains daunting.

Missing several key players could prove costly, especially in a match where small margins often decide the outcome. Their absence may hand the advantage to a well-prepared PSV side.

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:

Kovar; Dest, Flamingo, Gasiorowski, Junior; Saibari, Schouten, Veerman; Perisic, Driouech, Plea

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Drommel; Bakari, Martins Indi, Van Aanholt, Young; Kitolano, Clement; Oufkir, Toornstra; Lauritsen, Mito

We say: PSV Eindhoven 3-0 Sparta Rotterdam

The champions should have enough quality to see off Sparta, especially on home turf and with their attacking options bolstered.

While Sparta have improved and will look to stay compact and frustrate, PSV’s firepower and cohesion, even after a summer of change, is likely to prove too strong over 90 minutes.

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