PSV Eindhoven must wash away the taste of a recent defeat when they visit FC Twente this weekend. Peter Bosz's side lost 3-2 in Enschede last time out and now need to secure points to keep pace with the Eredivisie leaders.
The Eindhoven club currently sits third in the table with 16 points from seven matches. They trail leaders AZ Alkmaar by three points. The match against Twente offers a direct chance to make amends for that disappointing result. PSV had won their previous five league games before the loss to Twente interrupted that run. Their recent league form shows four wins and one loss from their last five matches.
Lineup and injuries
Peter Bosz must again cope without a string of injured players. Alassane Pléa, Sam Lammers, Sami Ouaissa, Adamo Nagalo, Kiliann Sildillia and captain Jerdy Schouten remain unavailable. Matej Kovář is expected to keep his place in goal despite conceding early against Sparta Rotterdam last week. The defence will likely consist of Sergiño Dest, Lutsharel Geertruida, Armando Obispo and Mauro Júnior.
In midfield, Paul Wanner, Kodai Sano and Guus Til are set to start. Sano, a fifteen-million-euro signing from NEC, scored against Sparta last weekend. Pepi is set to return to lead the attack, flanked by Ivan Perišić and Ruben van Bommel. Sven Mijnans, the team's top scorer this season with four goals, is a key option from the bench.
The opposition
FC Twente are fifth after six matches and have conceded only five goals. Manager John van den Brom is aiming to end a poor run against the champions. "For Van den Brom, the task is to halt a sequence of eight straight defeats against PSV," he said. The home side will be without the injured Kristian Hlynsson and Stav Lemkin.
Lars Unnerstall will start in goal. The back four comprises Bart van Rooij, Robin Pröpper, Max Bruns and Ruud Nijstad. The midfield trio is Younes Taha, Ramiz Zerrouki and the impressive Daouda Weidmann. Up front, Marko Pjaca and Sondre Ørjasæter are expected to support top scorer Wout Weghorst, who has three league goals.
PSV have won their last three visits to Twente, scoring eight and conceding twice. But the recent 3-2 defeat shows the home side's threat. The match is vital for morale and league position. A win keeps PSV in touch with the top, especially with a home fixture against Heerenveen next. Fans can check the full standings and upcoming fixtures on the site. The squad depth and current injuries are also available there.
Peter Bosz highlighted his team's attacking prowess. "The defending champions have been particularly productive in front of goal, scoring 22 times in their opening six league matches," the manager said. PSV have scored 24 goals in all competitions this season. The team travels to Enschede on Sunday aiming to take all three points back to Eindhoven.
Background and full detail: sports.yahoo.com
