The Eredivisie continues this weekend as title-chasing PSV Eindhoven host Vitesse at the Philips Stadion on Saturday evening.
The two sides have endured differing starts to league action following the World Cup break, with Vitesse yet to win, while the hosts are unbeaten since returning from the month-long hiatus.
Match preview
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PSV Eindhoven looked to have done enough when they came from behind against 10-man Fortuna Sittard, with goals from Xavi Simons and Ibrahim Sangare, but they were punished for missing a hatful of chances when Burak Yilmaz equalised from the penalty spot in the 99th minute.
That result leaves Ruud van Nistelrooy's side in fourth place, five points adrift of league leaders Feyenoord, and Yilmaz's late strike, and his fifth goal of the Eredivisie campaign, means that PSV have now drawn back-to-back games in the league since returning from the World Cup break.
However, Van Nistelrooy's side did manage to advance to the third round of the KNVB-Beker last week after a 2-1 away success against Sparta Rotterdam, a result which preserves their unbeaten record since returning from the hiatus.
The Boeren have the second-best home record in the division, so Van Nistelrooy will be confident his side can pick up three points here against a Vitesse side that have not won away from home since October.
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After an impressive 2021-22 season, finishing sixth in the Eredivisie, Vitesse have fallen off considerably so far this term, picking up just 15 points from their 16 matches up to this point, leaving them in 14th place.
Geel en Zwart's defence has been their primary issue, having conceded 31 goals, the fourth-worst defensive record in the Eredivisie, behind Groningen, SBV Excelsior and FC Volendam.
Vitesse shared the spoils in a feisty Gelderland derby against NEC Nijmegen last time out, meaning Phillip Cocu's side have not won in their last four league games, although they have drawn three of these, two of which were against very good opponents in Ajax and AZ Alkmaar.
Vitesse have only won once in the last 10 encounters with PSV Eindhoven, with the most recent meeting between the sides resulting in a 5-0 victory for Saturday's hosts.
Cocu's men face a stern test at the Philips Stadion, as they bid to win their third game of the season away from home against a PSV side that possess an impressive home record.
Team News
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Olivier Boscagli will play no part in the action against Vitesse on Saturday - the defender has not featured since a serious knee injury in April.
Mauro Junior remains on the treatment table for the hosts as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury, while Xavi Simons looks set to retain his place in the starting XI after scoring his ninth goal of the Eredivisie campaign against Fortuna Sittard.
Given that Vitesse have a clean bill of health, Cocu may be tempted to rotate his side after the goalless draw with NEC Nijmegen last time out in a bid to win their first game since returning from the World Cup hiatus.
New signing Nicolas Isimat-Mirin could make his debut here against his former club, although the partnership of Ryan Flamingo and Enzo Cornelisse has been a mainstay in Vitesse's backline this season.
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Teze, Branthwaite, Obispo, Mwene; Simons, Sangare, Veerman; El Ghazi, De Jong, Madueke
Vitesse possible starting lineup:
Scherpen; Arcus, Cornelisse, Flamingo, Dijks; Tronstad, Kozlowski; Manhoef, Bero, Wittek; Bialek
We say: PSV Eindhoven 2-0 Vitesse
PSV need to string together an extensive run of victories in order to keep their title dreams alive, and given their home record this season, it is difficult to see them not claiming all three points this weekend.
Vitesse have shared the spoils in their last three, proving that they can compete with the better sides in the league, but PSV should have too much firepower here.
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