PSV vs AZ – News and Probable Lineups

The highlight of the 26th round of the 2025-26 Eredivisie season features title contenders PSV Eindhoven hosting AZ Alkmaar at the Philips Stadion on Saturday evening.

Following a heavy 5-1 loss in their earlier encounter, the away team will be keen to avenge that defeat against their opponents, who have not lost in this matchup since November 2022.

Match overview

For the second consecutive year, PSV was eliminated at the semi-final stage of the KNVB Beker, narrowly falling to NEC in a thrilling five-goal encounter, prolonging their quest for a first cup victory since 2023.

Peter Bosz’s squad headed to Nijmegen following 3-1 victories against Heerenveen and Heracles, results that have maintained their lead at the top of the Eredivisie standings. Nevertheless, Tuesday’s defeat suggests that PSV may only secure league glory this season.

The Rood-witten have a chance to stretch their title advantage to 20 points before Feyenoord faces Breda on Sunday, and their strong record against AZ indicates they could achieve a third successive league win.

PSV remains unbeaten in their recent six matches against AZ, though they have only managed to win one of the last six home clashes (D1, L4) dating back to October 2019.

This weekend’s match marks the beginning of a series of four fixtures against teams in the top eight over the next five gameweeks, after which the hosts will hope to clinch their third straight domestic championship.

In contrast to PSV, AZ Alkmaar secured a victory in their KNVB Cup semi-final this past week, triumphing with a 2-1 result against Telstar at the AFAS Stadium on Wednesday.

Second-half own goals by Danny Bakker and Neville Ogidi Nwankwo, along with a strike from Kay Tejan, secured advancement for Leeroy Echteld’s team, allowing them to reach their second consecutive Dutch Cup final.

While winning next month’s final at De Kuip would ensure European competition for the Cheese Farmers, AZ will also be looking to achieve a top-four finish. They begin this weekend’s matches in sixth place, trailing NEC by four points.

After failing to find the net in two consecutive away games, AZ must rectify their recent attacking issues on the road to have any hope of a favorable outcome against opponents who are averaging over three goals per home league match this season.

With a Conference League knockout match against Sparta Prague looming just five days later, Saturday’s visitors will aim to establish momentum for their European challenge with a strong showing this weekend.

Team News

Ruben van Bommel of PSV will be unavailable for the match against his former team due to a knee injury sustained in September 2025.

Mauro Junior and Alassane Plea are also ruled out with knee injuries, while Nick Olij and Guus Til are sidelined due to muscle issues.

Anass Salah-Eddine is expected to miss a third straight game with a foot injury, although he is close to returning.

Jordy Clasie (ankle) will not be making the trip to Eindhoven and is one of two confirmed absentees for AZ, along with Kees Smit, who is suspended for one match after receiving five yellow cards.

Seiya Maikuma and Mateo Chavez are significant doubts for the away side, but Denso Kasius has regained fitness after making a brief appearance against Telstar.

Jizz Hornkamp has remained an unused substitute in each of the last three fixtures, continuing to find it difficult since his winter transfer from Heracles.

PSV Eindhoven probable starting XI:

Kovar; Dest, Obispo, Schouten, Sildillia; Veerman, Wanner; Perisic, Saibari, Man; pepi

AZ Alkmaar probable starting XI:

Owusu-Oduro; Dijkstra, Goes, Penetra, De Wit; Boogaard, Koopmeiners; Jensen, Mijnans, Oufkir; Parrott

PSV’s defensive vulnerabilities were apparent in their 3-2 loss to NEC, indicating a sixth match in a row without a clean sheet.

While it’s expected that the title contenders may concede again, we anticipate PSV securing a comfortable victory and taking another step closer to Eredivisie success.