Groningen vs PSV – News and Probable Lineups

League leaders PSV Eindhoven visit Groningen in the Eredivisie this Sunday, aiming to build on their significant advantage at the top of the Dutch league.

The question is not if, but when they will clinch the title, with second-placed Feyenoord lagging a remarkable 17 points behind. However, although the celebrations for the trophy have not commenced yet, claiming victory at Euroborg Stadium would move them one step closer to securing their third consecutive league title.

Match overview

That said, Groningen are not to be underestimated; the eighth-placed team has had a commendable season so far, holding the third-best defensive record in the Eredivisie, having conceded just 26 goals so far, with only PSV (25) and FC Twente (24) allowing fewer goals.

Trots van het Noorden have achieved only one victory in their last five league matches, suffering defeats in their two most recent outings, having lost to Fortuna Sittard 2-1 after giving up an early advantage, followed by a lackluster 2-0 defeat against a rejuvenated Sparta Rotterdam.

Although their defensive solidity has allowed goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen to register the second-most clean sheets (seven) in the league this season, their attacking efforts have not been up to par, with their goal-scoring contributions primarily coming from defensive midfielder Stije Resink, who has scored four goals and provided five assists in the league.

Nonetheless, since Resink was substituted early due to injury against Sittard, Groningen has been unable to find the back of the net in over 120 minutes of play, and they will hope that his continued absence does not hinder their form further.

In contrast, Peter Bosz’s squad is flourishing in the land of the wooden clog; their dominance this season reflects what has been seen at the Philips Stadion over the past few years.

On their travels, PSV has not dropped any points in league play this season, boasting an impeccable record of 10 wins from 10 matches, scoring 28 goals and conceding only nine – the best stats in the Eredivisie by a considerable margin.

Despite their European ambitions ending on a sour note against Bayern Munich, the Rood-witten have bounced back impressively with consecutive victories, including a dominant 3-0 rout of Robin van Persie’s Feyenoord.

Recently, the reigning champions advanced to the semi-finals of the KNVB Cup, comfortably defeating Heerenveen 4-1, and while Groningen performed better in their earlier encounter this season, which ended in a 4-2 loss to PSV, Bosz’s team has shown no signs of slowing down in recent matches.

Team News

Mats Seuntjens is currently sidelined due to a groin issue and joins Tika de Jonge on the list of Groningen players unavailable for selection.

Resink is also out for the home team as he is still recovering from injury, although a fortunate turn allowed him to serve a one-match suspension while injured last time out.

PSV faces several injury challenges as well, with Ricardo Pepi out due to a fractured forearm, Myron Boadu struggling with a muscle problem, Alassane Plea unavailable due to a knee injury, Nick Olij dealing with a groin issue, and Ruben van Bommel continuing his long-term rehabilitation from a knee injury.

Even though Ivan Perisic has drawn considerable transfer interest, the former Tottenham winger remains in Eindhoven, and manager Bosz is likely to field another strong lineup, with the forward included.

Groningen probable starting XI:

Vaessen; Peersman, Janse, Blokzijl, Rente; Schreuders, Land; Taha, Van Bergen, Van der Werff; Willumsson

PSV Eindhoven probable starting XI:

Kovar; Dest, Schute, Obispo, Junior; Veerman, Waner, Saibari; Perisic, Bajraktarivic, Til

The league leaders come into this fixture as strong favorites to secure three points. Their impeccable away record, combined with their clinical finishing, makes it nearly impossible to envision anything other than a straightforward victory here.