This weekend's Eredivisie action will kick off with a mouth-watering top-half clash on Friday night when PSV Eindhoven play host to FC Twente at Philips Stadion.
Both sides will be putting unbeaten league runs on the line here, with the hosts currently on a three-match win streak while the visitors are unbeaten in their last six.
Match preview
© Imago
PSV extended their lead at the top of the league standings to seven points last week - albeit having played a game more than the sides directly below them - by putting in a commanding performance to beat Utrecht 5-2 on the road.
Ismael Saibari opened the scoring in the 12th minute and went on to double his tally in the second half, while Guus Til also bagged a brace either side of a Johan Bakayoko strike entering the final quarter of the match.
That result marked the fifth consecutive win across all competitions for Peter Bosz's side, and during that run, they found the back of the net 20 times, including three or more goals in each victory.
In league terms, the 5-2 result meant that the Boeren maintained their record of scoring two or more goals in every match this season, while it also took their tally to 50 in the top flight, 18 more than second-highest scorers Feyenoord on 32.
Next up for the rampant league leaders is Twente, a side who they have beaten in their last four encounters across all competitions dating back to a 2-1 loss at De Grolsch Veste in September 2022.
© Imago
While Twente have not fared well in this fixture in recent times, they can at least take some comfort from the fact that they were the only side to leave a league match at Philips Stadion last season having conceded fewer than two goals, and the first to do so since January 2023.
However, the Tukkers will be hoping for better this time, as they enter the contest with solid momentum and brimming with confidence following a remarkable comeback from two goals down to beat Go Ahead Eagles 3-2 at home last weekend.
Sam Lammers got the side on the scoreboard on the stroke of half time, and Sem Steijn netted the equaliser midway through the second period, before Bas Kuipers found the winner inside the final 10 minutes.
With that, Steijn took his individual goal tally for the season to 10 - the most in the top flight to date - and the 23-year-old attacker will now face his closest rival for the top spot, Ricardo Pepi, who is just one behind him.
Joseph Oosting's side are unbeaten in their last three away league games, winning two and drawing one, while across their six outings this season, they have taken a total of 13 points from a possible 21 (W4 D1 L2).
Team News
© Imago
Hirving Lozano stormed out the blocks this season, notching up four goals and an assist in his first four matches before sustaining a muscle injury which kept him out for over two months.
The Mexican picked up another assist last week against Utrecht, and he will be looking to continue building his form and fitness before departing to San Diego FC at the start of the winter transfer window.
Joey Veerman made a return to the squad last week after a spell out, meaning the hosts' only long-term absentee is Sergino Dest, while Jerdy Schouten, Adamo Nagalo and Couhaib Driouech are flagged as doubts.
For the visitors, central defender Mees Hilgers and left-back Anass Salah-Eddine were both sidelined for the side's victory against Go Ahead Eagles due to a reported 'overload,' and it is unclear if they will be available for this one.
Midfielder Younes Taha remains Twente's only confirmed absentee owing to a shin injury, and the Moroccan is only expected to return to first-team training in February next year.
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Ledezma, Boscagli, Flamingo, Dams; Saibari, Til, Tillman; Bakayoko, Pepi, Bakayoko
FC Twente possible starting lineup:
Unnerstall; Van Rooij, Lagerbielke, Bruns, Kuipers; Regeer, Vlap, Van Bergen, Steijn, Van Wolfswinkel; Lammers
We say: PSV Eindhoven 3-1 FC Twente
While Twente have been in impressive league form in the lead-up to this match, PSV simply look like a different beast right now and are making scoring goals in the top flight look ridiculously easy.
The hosts have already hit the back of the net 23 times in six matches at Philips Stadion this season, and we feel they will add a few more to their tally in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
