FC Utrecht will have a golden opportunity to close the gap to the top of the Eredivisie table when they take on PSV Eindhoven at Stadion Galgenwaard on Sunday afternoon.
PSV are currently perched atop the league standings with 36 points from 13 games, five points clear of their upcoming opponent, but Utrecht still have a game in hand.
Match preview
Having finished in seventh place in each of the last three seasons and sixth in the three seasons before that, it is probably fair to say that Utrecht are finally living up to their full potential this term.
Domstedelingen returned from the international break last weekend and notched up their 10th win in 12 games, beating NEC 2-1 on the road, with Yoann Cathline and Victor Jensen finding the net in either half.
That result also took the team to four wins in a row across all competitions, while the only points they have dropped in the league this season were a loss to Feyenoord and a 1-1 draw against Heerenveen back at the start of the campaign.
Perhaps the only area that Ron Jans will be looking to improve this season is his side's attacking output, as they have scored 22 goals so far, which is the fewest of any of the top six in the division and less than half of PSV's tally.
This is undoubtedly the fixture that will give most an indication of whether Utreg can make a genuine challenge for the title, as a win here will be the first they have managed against this opponent in their last eight attempts (W0 D3 L5) dating back to October 2019.
Meanwhile, PSV have firmly announced themselves as the team to beat again this term and will enter this match brimming with confidence after their incredible comeback from two goals down in midweek to beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2 in the Champions League.
Malik Tillman scored in the 87th and 90th minute of that match to bring his side level before his compatriot Ricardo Pepi netted deep in stoppage time to seal the victory and keep them four points above the playoff cutoff.
Pepi has notably been in excellent form lately, having scored five goals in his last three matches, including a hat-trick against Groningen last weekend, which put him joint-top in the Eredivisie scoring charts with nine goals alongside Sem Steijn.
The victory in midweek was also Peter Bosz's side's fourth in a row in all competitions, while the only defeat they have conceded this season was against Ajax on the road at the start of November.
As mentioned, PSV have been incredible in front of goal this season, averaging just a shade under 3.5 goals per 90 in the top flight, while they have scored two or more in every league match to date.
Team News
Utrecht will continue without the services of Silas Andersen this week, with the midfielder still serving his suspension, while Kevin Gadellaa is ruled out for the foreseeable future after undergoing knee surgery.
Alonzo Engwanda and Kolbeinn Finnsson are both ruled out of this match due to injury and Can Bozdogan is only expected to return to first-team action in mid-December owing to an Achilles tendon issue.
PSV have managed to churn out results despite having a fairly lengthy casualty list at present, which features two long-term absentees in Sergino Dest (cruciate ligament) and Joey Veerman (groin).
Jerdy Schouten has now missed the last nine matches with a hamstring strain and is only likely to return closer to Christmas, while Adamo Nagalo (shoulder) and Couhaib Driouech (ankle) are listed as doubts.
FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Horemans, Didden, Viergever, El Karouani; Fraulo, Aaronson; Cathline, Jensen, Rodriguez; Descotte
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Karsdorp, Boscagli, Flamingo, Dams; Saibari, Junior, Til; Bakayoko, Pepi, Perisic
We say: FC Utrecht 1-2 PSV Eindhoven
While Utrecht have been excellent this season and managed to hold this opponent to a 1-1 draw at this venue last term, PSV's firepower is hard to overlook, and we feel they will be able to widen the gap between themselves and the chasing pack with a victory in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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