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

Sparta Rotterdam ended a 10-game winless run in all competitions with a victory over Willem II last weekend, but they face a tough test on Sunday when they play host to PSV Eindhoven.

Meanwhile, second-placed PSV cannot afford to drop points as they look to keep pace with league leaders Ajax.

Match preview

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Sparta Rotterdam occupy one of the two automatic relegation places, with one point separating them from the relegation playoff spot, while they are four points adrift of safety.

The hosts have won three league games all season, with two of those victories coming against Willem II, who they edged out in their last outing.

In that contest, a second-half strike from Younes Namli proved enough to help his side to a crucial 1-0 victory, which will give Sparta Rotterdam renewed belief that they can beat the drop.

Sparta missed out on the chance to build upon that victory with their contest against Fortuna Sittard postponed last weekend.

Henk Fraser's side may be pessimistic about their chances of finding a way past the PSV defence, with Sparta currently holding the worst goalscoring record in the Eredivisie.

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PSV have a five-point gap to make up in 11 matches if they are to clinch their first Eredivisie title since 2018, although their first priority will be to secure second place, with Feyenoord just a point behind Roger Schmidt's side.

On Thursday, PSV extended their unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions, as they played out a 1-1 away draw against Maccabi Tel Aviv to ensure their progression to the Europa Conference League last 16.

It took 85 minutes for the deadlock to be broken, with Yorbe Vertessen grabbing the opener for the Dutch side, and though Maccabi Tel Aviv scored in injury time, it was not enough to prevent PSV from claiming a 2-1 aggregate victory.

That win earned PSV a tie with FC Copenhagen, but they will put their European campaign on hold as they look to claim a fifth consecutive away league victory.

Boasting the second-best away record in the Eredivisie, Schmidt's men will be confident that they can emerge victorious on Sunday.

Team News

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Without a game for two weeks, the hosts will be well-rested ahead of Sunday's contest.

Adil Auassar has started the last two matches for Sparta Rotterdam and the 35-year-old is expected to once again partner Bart Vriends in the centre of defence.

In his fourth appearance for his new club, Namli scored his first Sparta Rotterdam goal against Willem II last time out, and the midfielder will be looking to pose a goal threat once again on Sunday.

Meanwhile, PSV are without the services of Marco van Ginkel and Armando Obispo, who will miss Sunday's contest due to injury issues.

Cody Gakpo has top-scored for PSV in the league this season, but injury will rule him out of the trip to Rotterdam, while Phillipp Mwene is also a doubt.

After featuring in European competition on Thursday, Schmidt may freshen his side up, which could result in Bruma and Carlos Vinicius coming into the team.

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Okoye; Abels, Vriends, Auassar, Durmisi; Namli, De Kamps, Verschueren, Van Crooij; Thy, Engels

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:

Drommel; Junior, Teze, Boscagli, Max; Sangare, Gutierrez, Gotze; Madueke, Bruma, Vinicius

We say: Sparta Rotterdam 1-3 PSV Eindhoven

Despite ending their winless run last weekend, we think that Sparta Rotterdam will struggle when they come up against title chasing PSV on Sunday, and we believe the visitors will ease past their hosts to extend their unbeaten run to six-matches in all competitions.