PSV Eindhoven get their 2022-23 Eredivisie campaign underway with a clash against Emmen at the Philips Stadion on Saturday evening.
The home side will be looking to go one better than last season's second-place finish, while the visitors seek a positive start on their return to the top tier of Dutch football.
Match preview
PSV Eindhoven played out a 1-1 draw against Monaco in the first leg of their Champions League qualifying tie at the Stade Louis II on Tuesday.
Ruud van Nistelrooy's men broke the deadlock in the 38th minute through Joey Veerman but were pegged back in the final knockings of the second half by Axel Disasi.
Prior to that, the Rood-witten opened their season with a piece of Silverware as they defeated Ajax 5-3 in the Dutch Super Cup grand finale on Saturday.
Next up on the horizon is the challenge of an opposing side who have failed to come out on top in any of the previous five meetings between the teams.
Ahead of the conclusion of their continental commitment three days later, Saturday's hosts will be looking to pick up a morale-boosting victory on home turf this weekend.
Emmen were on the receiving end of a comprehensive 3-1 defeat against Sparta Rotterdam in a friendly at the Het Kasteel on Saturday.
Dick Lukkien's men found themselves two goals down at half time thanks to a Vito van Crooy brace, and after they managed to pull one back through Richairo Zivkovic, Mario Engels put the game to bed 15 minutes from time.
As a result, the Drenthe-based side are now on a run of four games without a win, with each of their most recent three outings ending in a loss.
Saturday's visitors follow up the trip to Eindhoven with a clash against RKC Waalwijk, while their hosts take on Go Ahead Eagles in matchday two.
- L
- L
- W
- W
- W
- D
- W
- W
- D
- L
- L
- L
Team News
Twenty-four-year-old Olivier Boscagli is currently ruled out with a knee injury and will not take part for PSV Eindhoven this weekend.
The hosts will also be without the services of Carlos Vinicius and Noni Madueke, who are down with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.
New arrival Savio is not expected to feature in this one having failed to participate in any of his side's three matches since joining from Troyes.
Emmen's Mart Lieder continues his extended spell on the sidelines which has seen the Dutchman ruled out of action since the end of February.
Lucas Bernadou is a doubt for the away side having missed the defeat to Sparta with a minor knock, while goalkeeper Kyan van Dorp is yet to fully recuperate from a meniscal Injury.
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Max, Obispo, Teze, Hoever; Veerman, Sangare; Gakpo, Til, Saibari; De Jong
Emmen possible starting lineup:
Oelschlagel; Araujo, Veendorp, Veldmate; Kieftenbeld, Mendes, Vlak, Assehnoun; Bijleveld, Romeny, Zivkovic
We say: PSV Eindhoven 3-0 Emmen
PSV boast a plethora of attacking options, and Emmen have it all to do as they aim to upset the odds in their first game back amongst the elite. We fancy the home side to ease to a comfortable win come the sound of the final whistle here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email