PSV Eindhoven will be looking to complete a stunning comeback to defend their Eredivisie title this weekend when they travel to Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel to face Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday.
Heading into the final weekend of the season, PSV hold a one-point lead over Ajax at the summit of the standings, and a victory this weekend will earn them their 25th domestic league title.
Match preview
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Less than a month ago, the Eredivisie title race looked to be over, with Ajax needing just six points from their final five games to be crowned Dutch champions for the first time since the 2021-22 top-flight campaign.
However, after a thumping 4-0 defeat to Utrecht in a rescheduled matchday 31 fixture on April 20, De Godenzonen have endured a historic collapse, taking just two points from their last four matches to blow the title race wide open.
During that time, PSV churned out four consecutive wins to close the gap, and after firing four goals past Heracles in midweek, they regained top spot, with the Amsterdam giants fluffing their lines against Groningen later the same day.
The Boeren now need one more victory to defend their title and enter this match with solid momentum, riding a six-match win streak, while having only lost one of their last nine games since early March.
While Sparta have been in good form themselves over the last couple of months, the visitors have been rampant lately, scoring two or more goals in nine of their last 10 league games and three in each of their last four on the road.
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While all of the attention in recent weeks has been focused on the battle at the top of the table, Sparta have also enjoyed an impressive comeback, having spent the entire first half of the season bouncing in and out of the relegation zone.
However, all that changed after the February international break, as De Kasteelheren put together a stunning seven-match unbeaten run, including four wins and three draws, which took them into mid-table.
After beating now-relegated Almere City 3-0 and taking a point off Utrecht last week, Maurice Steijn's side now sit on 39 points, just one point below a potential Conference League playoff spot.
Unfortunately, while the hosts have only lost one of their last seven matches at Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel, they now have to face a PSV side that has all the momentum and will undoubtedly throw everything they have into this one in search of a victory - and the title.
Team News
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Patrick van Aanholt has now missed the last two games for Sparta Rotterdam with an unspecified injury, which should see Mike Kleijn continue in the defensive quartet in front of Nick Olij.
After drawing a blank in three games, Tobias Lauritsen was back on the scoresheet against Utrecht last week, notching up his 10th of the season, and he should continue to lead the line here alongside Mitchell Van Bergen and Mohamed Nassoh.
PSV will be able to welcome Richard Ledezma back to the squad this weekend, with the 24-year-old right-back having served his suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards in midweek.
However, the visitors will be missing several key players due to injuries, including Ismael Saibari, Jerdy Schouten, Rick Karsdorp, Lucas Perez, Wessel Kuhn, and long-term absentee Ricardo Pepi.
Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:
Olij; Bakari, Young, Eerdhuijzen, Kleijn, Hlynsson, Zechiel, Clement; Nassoh, Lauritsen, Van Bergen
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Ledezma, Flamingo, Boscagli, Junior; Saibari, Veerman, Tillman; Perisic, De Jong, Lang
We say: Sparta Rotterdam 1-3 PSV Eindhoven
While Sparta have ended the season on an upward trajectory, PSV have been a team on a mission over the last month, and we feel they will put in a commanding effort to secure a win and the title this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
