PSV vs Nijmegen – News and Probable Lineups

PSV Eindhoven will host NEC Nijmegen at the Philips Stadion on Saturday in a crucial match as the 2025–26 Eredivisie season approaches its conclusion.

With only eight fixtures left, Peter Bosz’s team is in a strong position in the title race, while the visitors are in need of points as they strive to secure a UEFA Champions League berth for the upcoming season.

Match overview

PSV has had a spectacular run in the Dutch league, comfortably occupying the top spot in the table, sitting 19 points ahead of second-placed Feyenoord and 21 points clear of third-placed NEC, a significant margin that underscores their dominance throughout the campaign.

Their strong form, combined with an impressive attacking lineup and solid defensive play, has made them the standout team in the league, amassing a remarkable 75 goals while conceding just 31, and they may even clinch the championship as soon as next weekend if results favor them.

With a remarkable record of 22 wins, two draws, and two losses from 26 encounters, and such a considerable lead over their closest rivals, Bosz’s squad knows that staying focused is essential for lifting the Eredivisie trophy.

The Eindhoven team is currently on a three-match winning run and has dropped only seven points in their last 22 league games dating back to September, with their only defeat in that timeframe being a surprising 2–1 loss away against Volendam.

Despite their league supremacy, De Rood-witten face this match with the knowledge that NEC can be a formidable opponent, having shocked the league leaders with a stunning 3–2 win in the KNVB Beker semi-final last week, knocking PSV out of the Dutch Cup and securing a spot in the final.

For NEC, traveling to Eindhoven presents another opportunity to measure themselves against the top team in the Eredivisie this season, with the Nijmegen side currently holding third place in the standings and enjoying one of their strongest seasons in recent years.

Securing points against the league leaders would not only heighten their confidence but might also solidify their standing in the race for European football, although Dick Schreuder’s squad approaches the match without an away win in their last two excursions, despite remaining undefeated in their last nine matches across all competitions on the road.

NEC ended a brief winless spell last weekend with an impressive 3–0 victory over Volendam, a result that came shortly after their historic cup win against Saturday’s competitors and has kept them on track for their best-ever league finish while also advancing to the KNVB Beker final.

Only PSV’s 75 goals outperform NEC’s notable tally of 64 in the Eredivisie this season, but defensive lapses have occasionally hindered their progress, conceding 43 goals in 26 matches and recording just one clean sheet in their last seven games.

As the race for a Champions League slot intensifies, NEC could move into second place with a victory at PSV, depending on Feyenoord’s match at home on Sunday, although they could also drop to fifth if both FC Twente and Ajax secure wins this weekend.

Historically, NEC has been seen as significant underdogs in this matchup, with only nine wins, 20 draws, and 67 defeats in 96 previous encounters with PSV, but they have had a more competitive run lately, achieving two wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five meetings after enduring a 20-match winless streak against the Eindhoven club.

Team News

Sergino Dest, playing in right-back, sustained an injury during last weekend’s encounter with AZ Alkmaar and was substituted in the second half by Anass Salah-Eddine, who had just returned to the squad following a foot injury.

Ruben van Bommel remains unavailable due to a knee injury he picked up in September 2025, while Mauro Junior and Alassane Plea are also sidelined with knee issues. Additionally, both Nick Olij and Guus Til are out due to muscle injuries.

NEC may once again be without Gonzalo Alejandro Crettaz, who has missed the last two matches due to injury, while Freek Entius continues to recover from a knee problem.

Another potential concern for the Nijmegen team arose last weekend when Brayann Pereira had to be substituted after half an hour, being replaced by Ahmetcan Kaplan due to a suspected injury.

PSV Eindhoven probable starting XI:

Coward; Salah-Eddine, Obispo, Schouten, Sildillia; Veerman, Wanner, Saibari; Perisic, Man; Pepi

NEC probable starting XI:

Cillessen; Kaplan, Sandler, Fonville; Ouaissa, Sano, Nejasmic, Onal; Chery, Lebreton, Linssen

With the recent cup upset and the implications at both ends of the standings, Saturday’s matchup is set to be a hard-fought battle between two teams having strong seasons.

PSV will be keen to bounce back from their disappointment in midweek and reaffirm their authority on home soil, while NEC will look to demonstrate that their cup victory over the league leaders was not a mere fluke, potentially leading to an entertaining match where both teams might ultimately share the points after 90 minutes.