Preview: PSV Eindhoven vs Heracles – predictions, team news, line-ups

After a midweek defeat in the Champions League, PSV Eindhoven returns to Eredivisie action against in-form Heracles on Saturday, aiming to get back to winning ways in matchweek 16.

Peter Bosz’s side have not suffered a defeat in all competitions since mid-September, but lost 3-2 to Atletico Madrid, and return to the Philips Stadion this weekend looking to put things right again against the 16th-ranked visitors.

Match Preview

It seemed to be business as usual for PSV on Tuesday when Guus Til put the Eindhoven giants 1-0 up against Atleti after 10 minutes, only for 20 minutes of madness to ultimately cost the Dutch a 3-2 defeat.

Les Paysans conceded a goal in the 37th, 52nd and 56th minutes, finding themselves trailing their Spanish opponents despite leading at the half-hour mark.

A Ricardo Pepi goal five minutes from the end of the 90th made the closing stages tense, but the hosts were unable to catch Diego Simeone’s side.

This result ended PSV’s run of 14 matches without defeat (11 wins) in all competitions; However, their championship streak could continue on Saturday.

Since a setback against promoted Telstar in late August, the reigning champions have never suffered a defeat in the competition, an unbeaten streak of 11 matches.

Only Ajax has prevented the reigning top-flight champions from securing maximum points over the past three months, and the league leaders begin a nine-game winning streak this weekend with a six-point lead over Feyenoord.

It will be interesting to see how Heracles perform in Eindhoven, given visitors Almelo are currently one of the in-form teams in the division.

Only this weekend’s hosts (15 points) and NEC (12) have accumulated more points than the 16th-placed side’s 11 from the last five league matches, while their overall unbeaten run stands at six.

Paupers’ current good form can be attributed to the decision to fire Bas Sibum at the end of October, with Ernest Faber reaping the rewards of the momentum Heracles had gained under interim management Hendrik Kruzen before his full-time appointment at the end of November.

After losing nine of their first 10 Eredivisie matches, with just one win, the Paupers have now won three and drawn two of their last five, putting them in the relegation play-offs for this weekend.

While maximum points at the Philips Stadion could see the Almelo-based team climb up to 12th place in the standings. paintingthat would require achieving something they haven’t managed for 61 years: beating PSV in Eindhoven.

Heracles’ last victory in this encounter was in September 2015 in Almelo, and FCH only avoided defeat twice in the following 18 meetings against the Dutch giants.

This heightens the challenge ahead for the in-form visitors, who will be hoping to capitalize on their current form and PSV’s recent European defeat to cause an upset.

PSV Eindhoven Eredivisie form:

PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions):

Heracles Eredivisie form:

Heracles form (all competitions):

Team News

© Iconsport

PSV appeared injury free against Atletico on Tuesday, meaning their absences remain Ruben van Bommel (knee), Alassane Plea (knee) and Myron Boadu.

Guus Til and Ismael Saibari have scored 10 and eight goals respectively, with both netting three winners this season – only Ayase Ueda (18 goals, five winners) has more in the Eredivisie – underlining the duo’s importance to PSV’s attack.

Joey Veerman’s influence should not be underestimated either, with the midfielder scoring seven goals and providing six assists – jointly with Ivan Perisic – highlighting his dual threat.

Heracles have players suspended or injured this weekend: Jan Zamburek is suspended for one match due to accumulated yellow cards, while Luka Kulenovic (hip), Sava Cestic (ankle), Jeff Reine-Adelaide (knee) and Sem Scheperman (hamstring) are absent.

With three-goal striker Kulenovic possibly missing for the Almelo-based side, Jizz Hornkamp must take full charge of his offensive responsibilities to add to his eight league goals.

However, only one of his eight goals came at Almelo, where he scored seven, pointing to a potential disappointment at Eindhoven.

Possible starting lineup of PSV Eindhoven:

Covalar; Dest, Schouted, Gasoowski, Salah-Eddone; Veeman, Wanner; Man, Saibari; People

Heracles possible starting composition:

Jansink; Te Wierik, Mirani, Van Hoorenbeeck, Mesik; Limbombe, Hrustic, Bruns, Ould-Chikh; Van Gilst, Hornkamp

We say: PSV Eindhoven 4-2 Heracles

This version of Heracles packs a punch and could trouble PSV in Eindhoven on Saturday, but it’s hard to predict that Bosz’s side won’t outplay Almelo’s side in what should be a high-profile win this weekend.

For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.