PSV Eindhoven will be aiming to pick up a first win in three outings across all competitions in Saturday's clash against Excelsior at Stadion Woudestein.
A win would see PSV temporarily go top of the Eredivisie table, but Excelsior will not be eager to do their visitors any favour after recently returning to winning ways.
A preview of this weekend's clash in Rotterdam can be found in this Excelsior vs PSV prediction article.
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Excelsior vs PSV prediction: Reigning champions to resume normal service
Key stats
- Excelsior have conceded the second-most goals in the Eredivisie this term (13), only behind Heracles' 18.
- This will be music to the ears of PSV, whose tally of 19 goals scored is a league high.
- However, they have also issues at the back of late, having failed to keep a clean sheet in five straight matches, conceding a combined 12 goals.
Correct score prediction: Excelsior 1-4 PSV
Averaging over three goals per Eredivisie game this term, PSV have been devastating in front of goal, and it is unlikely that will change against a team with Excelsior's defensive frailties.
A big win for the away side is on the cards here, and we fully fancy PSV to exhibit their superiority with a resounding triumph come the end of the 90 minutes.
Pre-game odds and win probability: PSV favourites by a country mile
- HOME: 17/2 (9.50) – 10.5%
- DRAW: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
- AWAY: 1/4 (1.25) – 80%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
PSV last went two Eredivisie matches without a victory in March, and their 80% win probability is a testament to how much they are expected to get the job done here.
Peter Bosz's men were pegged back on two occasions en route to a 2-2 draw against Ajax last time out, a result which leaves them three points adrift of Feyenoord at the summit of the Eredivisie table.
Off the back of three straight defeats to start the season, Excelsior have now picked up six of the last nine points available after Saturday's 2-1 win over newly promoted Volendam.
Ruben den Uil's men are underdogs in front of their fans this weekend and will be looking to upset the odds, having been given only a 10.5% chance of carrying the day.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: PSV perfect over the last dozen
PSV completed one of the most dramatic KNVB-Beker comebacks in their most recent outing against Excelsior, battling from two goals down in the final 10 minutes to claim a 5-4 extra-time win.
This extended PSV's winning streak in this fixture to 12 since January 2016, and they are also without a defeat in 19 games.
Netherlands Cup 14/01/25
PSV
Excelsior
Netherlands Eredivisie 02/04/24
Excelsior
PSV
Netherlands Eredivisie 13/01/24
PSV
Excelsior
Netherlands Eredivisie 08/04/23
PSV
Excelsior
Netherlands Eredivisie 28/08/22
Excelsior
PSV
Excelsior preview: Arthur Zagre back available
After receiving his marching orders for two bookable offences against Sparta Rotterdam, Zagre served a one-game ban in the win over Volendam but is now eligible to take part once again.
However, Lennard Hartjes remains out of contention with a knee issue he picked up back in January.
Predicted lineup: Raatsie(GK), Zagre, Meissen, Widell, Bronkhorst, Naujoks, Carlen, Fernandes, Yegoian, De Regt & Wlodarczyk
Excelsior's last five matches:
- Volendam 1-2 Excelsior (Eredivisie)
- Excelsior 0-1 Sparta Rotterdam (Eredivisie)
- Excelsior 1-0 FC Twente (Eredivisie)
- Utrecht 4-1 Excelsior (Eredivisie)
- Excelsior 1-2 Feyenoord (Eredivisie)
PSV preview: Ruben van Bommel's availability hanging in the balance
Aiming to score for the third consecutive match, Ruben van Bommel only lasted 40 minutes against Ajax as he had to be subbed off with an injury.
The 21-year-old has not been ruled out of Saturday's game yet, although his fitness remains a close call.
Meanwhile, Myron Boadu and compatriot Wessel Kuhn are both unavailable for PSV alongside French duo Alassane Plea and Kiliann Sildillia.
Predicted lineup: Kovar(GK), Salah-Eddine, Gasiorowski, Flamingo, Dest, Veerman, Schouten, Saibari, Bajraktarevic, Pepi & Perisic
PSV's last five matches:
- PSV 2-2 Ajax (Eredivisie)
- PSV 1-3 Union Saint-Gilloise (Champions League)
- NEC 3-5 PSV (Eredivisie)
- PSV 0-2 Telstar (Eredivisie)
- PSV 4-2 Groningen (Eredivisie)
Player to watch – Ivan Perisic
Recording nine goals and nine assists in 27 league matches last time out, Perisic played a key role for PSV en route to domestic glory.
This saw him rewarded with a new contract until 2027 as PSV fended off interest from Barcelona and Hansi Flick, who worked with the Croatian during their time together at Bayern Munich.
After setting up Ismael Saibari's opener against Ajax, Perisic is up to six Eredivisie goal contributions in as many matches and leads the assists chart with five.