For this season’s traditional curtain opener, Eredivisie champions PSV take on Dutch Cup winners Feyenoord for a shot at the first piece of silverware of the 2018/19 campaign – the Dutch Super Cup (formally called the Johan Cruijff Schaal).

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike

This year’s game is between the club with the most JC Schaal wins (PSV with 11) and the club with the most defeats (Feyenoord with 6). However, Feyenoord are the holders from 2017 and will certainly take part in a fascinating match-up against PSV.

Both sides have scored plenty of goals in pre-season. Under new manager Mark van Bommel, PSV have beaten Galatasaray (3-1), Olympiakos (4-0) and Valencia (2-1) in friendlies and have been a joy to watch. Meanwhile, Feyenoord have enjoyed wins over Basel (5-0), Levante (2-1) and came back from three down to draw with Fenerbache (3-3).

Match Details

Where? PSV’s Philips Stadion

When? Saturday 4th August

Kick-off? 6pm CET (in the Netherlands) or 5pm BST (in the UK)

Teams

PSV have had an excellent transfer market. Sales of Santiago Arias and Joshua Brenet have been quickly forgotten with the arrivals of Denzel Dumfries, Angeliño and Nick Viergever. Pre-season revelation Donyell Malen is likely to surrender a starting spot to fit again Hirving Lozano.

Zoet; Dumfries, Schwaab, Viergever, Angeliño; Rosario, Pereiro, Hendrix; Lozano, De Jong, Bergwijn.

Feyenoord have been relatively quiet in this summer’s window, instead searching for cheaper deals. Calvin Verdonk is likely to start at left-back due to Ridgeciano Haps’s absence through injury. Young goalkeeper Justin Bijlow could start in goal now that Brad Jones has left the club. New vice-captain Jordy Clasie and captain Robin van Persie should both start.

Bijlow; St Juste, van Beek, van der Heijden, Verdonk; Clasie, Toornstra, Vilhena; Berghuis, van Persie, Larsson

Want more on PSV? Watch our season preview for them on our YouTube channel here:

Key Battles

Steven Berghuis v Angeliño

Feyenoord’s star of last season will be relied upon to provide service for van Persie on Saturday. 18 goals and 14 assists represented an outstanding total for the winger in the last campaign and will therefore be an acid test for new PSV left-back Angeliño. Despite the full-back’s excellent dribbling, crossing and close control, at times, for NAC Breda last season and PSV in pre-season, the Spaniard has been caught out further up the pitch – room that Berghuis will look to exploit.

Calvin Verdonk v Hirving Lozano

Verdonk has been chosen by manager Gio van Bronckhorst as Feyenoord’s left-back to start the new season after Haps suffered an injury. His first test will be against Mexican World Cup hero Lozano, who is likely to play on the right-wing despite a lack of minutes in recent weeks.

Prediction

What is likely to happen in the final? PSV have had a marvellous pre-season, but of course, that does not always equate a successful season. Feyenoord are not at full strength yet due to injuries, but still have the players to make this a competitive final.

PSV have the edge and the higher quality players to make the difference. So, Feyenoord may make the most of set-pieces to trouble an untested, new-look PSV defence.

Prediction: PSV 2-1 Feyenoord

 




Michael Statham (853 Posts)

Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.