Verdict: PSV win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/4
Bookmaker: Luckster
With the Johan Cruyff Shield up for grabs on Sunday evening, PSV will welcome the Go Ahead Eagles to Eindhoven.
PSV
Starting with the hosts, making real history last season as they successfully defended their Eredivisie crown, PSV are enjoying what has been an extended fairytale. Remarkably winning all of their final seven consecutive domestic appearances back in May and mustering 27 points from their last 10 top-flight showdowns, the Dutch giants have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the continent. Signing off their summer preparations with an action-packed 3-2 victory against bitter local rivals Eindhoven, Peter Bosz’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Likewise, gaining a real reputation for their clinical performances in the final third, PSV will be confident of claiming another piece of silverware here and laying down an early marker at the Philips Stadion.
PSV Team News
Completing a big-money move from domestic rivals AZ Alkmaar this summer, Ruben van Bommel will make his competitive debut on Sunday evening. However, still dealing with a long-term knee injury, academy graduate Wessel Kuhn remains on the sidelines.
Signing off his pre-season preparations with a brace against Eindhoven earlier in the week and reportedly attracting plenty of Premier league interest this summer, USA youngster Ricardo Pepi should get some more minutes under his belt.
Go Ahead Eagles
As for the visitors, although the Go Ahead Eagles might have made their own piece of history last season as they clinched a maiden KNVB Cup crown, Melvin Boel’s side failed to find any kind of fluidity after returning from March’s international break. Signing off the 2024/25 campaign with an action-packed 5-3 loss against Waalwijk, the Overijssel-based outfit mustered just a single win from any of their final eight Eredivisie appearances. However, despite being pencilled in as a real underdog contender when they travel to the Philips Stadion this weekend, Sunday’s guests will be excited by their most recent meeting against the reigning Eredivisie champions. Landing a frantic 3-2 victory when they welcomed PSV to town back on March 1st, the Eagles will be confident of asking some questions here.
Go Ahead Eagles Team News
Completing a permanent move from Waalwijk this summer, former Vitesse youngster Richonell Margaret will make his competitive debut on Sunday evening and could be handed the chance to spearhead Boel’s charge in the final third.
However, not featuring in any of the Eagles’ pre-season appearances this summer, Danish striker Soren Tengstedt is not expected to be part of Boel’s travelling squad here. New recruit Jari De Busser will start between the sticks this weekend.
PSV vs Go Ahead Eagles Key Factors to Consider
- When PSV and the Go Ahead Eagles last met back on March 1st, Sunday’s guests collected an action-packed 3-2 win in Overijssel.
- PSV won all of their final seven Eredivisie appearances last season by an aggregate score of 25-7.
- Likewise, the defending Eredivisie champions also registered 27 points from their final 10 top-flight appearances.
- Despite their famous KNVB Cup success last season, the Eagles recorded just a sole win from any of their final eight Eredivisie appearances.
- Sunday’s guests also failed to register a single Eredivisie victory on their travels since returning from March’s international break.
Conclusion
Defending their domestic crown in the most remarkable of fashions last season, PSV have only continued on a real fairytale. Winning all of their final seven Eredivisie appearances by an aggregate score of 25-7, the Dutch icons will be looking to make another early statement here. Pencilled in as a standout contender to add another piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet, Sunday’s hosts have also gained a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third. While the Eagles might have claimed a shock 3-2 win when they welcomed PSV to Overijssel back on March 1st, we ate expecting a home victory this weekend.
Verdict: PSV win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/4
Bookmaker: Luckster