Feyenoord can take a big step towards the Eredivisie title when they host reigning champions PSV Eindhoven on Sunday.
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Feyenoord have been unwavering in pursuit of their first league title since 1999, winning six games in a row since the winter break, which has left them five points clear of Ajax at the top of the table. However, they face the toughest test of their title credentials so far when defending champions PSV come to town on Sunday.
Phillip Cocu’s side have also won six out of six since January but sit eight points behind Feyenoord after a poor start to their season. A defeat in Rotterdam will all but end their chance of reclaiming their title with only ten games to go after Sunday’s clash.
What the coaches said
Giovanni van Bronckhorst: “We can do good business on Sunday, but even in victory, I do not think we finally shake off PSV”
Phillip Cocu: “It’s obvious we need to bag all three points. If we manage to record a win, we still have a chance, although fate is no longer in our hands anymore. If we should slip to defeat, the gap with in-form Feyenoord will be eleven points.
“We should relish big games like this one. Actually, this is the massive game that you would like to play each week. It’s a big test for us but we feel confident of a good result.”
Team News
Feyenoord have a close to fully fit squad to choose from for the tie with long-term absentee Sven van Beek the only one to miss out on the squad. Michel Kramer is a doubt but is expected to be fit in order to take a place on the bench. Van Bronckhorst has a selection dilemma ahead of the game with Jens Toornstra, Dirk Kuyt and Steven Berghuis fighting for two spots in the starting eleven. It is expected that Berghuis will be the one to miss out.
Possible Feyenoord line-up: Jones, Karsdorp, Kongolo, van der Heijden, Botteghin, El Ahmadi, Vilhena, Kuyt, Toornstra, Elia, Jorgensen
PSV have had a big boost ahead of the game with Jurgen Locadia returning to the squad for the first time since August. The striker completed 60 minutes for Jong PSV last Monday and is fit enough for the bench. Cocu has an otherwise fit squad to choose from and is unlikely to spring any big surprises with his line-up.
Possible PSV line-up: Zoet, Arias, Willems, Isimat, Moreno, Guardado, Propper, van Ginkel, Pereiro, Ramselaar, De Jong
Recent meetings
Feyenoord stunned PSV earlier in the season with Eric Botteghin netting a late winner at the Philips Stadion. The last meeting at De Kuip finished 2-0 to PSV thanks to goals from Hector Moreno and Luciano Narsingh.
Key players
Nicolai Jorgensen
What a signing Jorgensen has been for Feyenoord this season. The Dane is top scorer in his first Eredivisie campaign with 15 goals in 23 games. However, Jorgensen isn’t just a goalscorer, he also provides plenty of assists with ten so far this season. Jorgensen hasn’t netted in his last two games, though, something he will be eager to put right on Sunday.
Andres Guardado
The heartbeat of the PSV midfield, when Guardado plays well, the Eindhoven side usually win. The 30-year-old’s tough tackling, long range passing and set piece delivery is crucial to the way Phillip Cocu’s side operates and the Mexican will be hoping to win the midfield battle against Vilhena and El Ahmadi on Sunday.
Eljero Elia
The winger has been pivotal to Giovanni van Bronckhorst side since the winter, scoring four goals and adding six assists in their last nine games. His directness causes mayhem for any Eredivisie defence and he will look to take advantage of Santiago Arias’s tendency to leave space in behind, to punish PSV on Sunday.
Luuk de Jong
The PSV captain had a terrible start to the season but his luck has changed since the winter break and he once again looks confident in front of goal. De Jong has netted in all of PSV’s last three matches and will look to lead his side to victory on Sunday. De Jong has also provided two assists in three games and his link up play with Ramselaar and Pereiro is crucial to the way PSC play.
Where to watch
Feyenoord v PSV kicks off at 1.30pm UK time on Sunday and will be live on SKY Sports 5. It is also streamed through most betting websites.
Odds
Feyenoord 27/20 Draw 12/5 PSV 15/8
Who do you think will come out on top in Sunday’s clash? Let us know in the comments box below.
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