Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
After surviving Twente before the international break, PSV will look to cement top position in the Eredivisie table when they take on NEC Nijmegen on Matchday 27. The league leaders are eyeing their third consecutive league win and it has to be noted that they defeated NEC in each of the previous twelve meetings between the two sides in the Dutch top flight. The good news for the visitors is that important defender Armando Obispo is back from suspension.
Rogier Meijer’s troops, on the other hand, aim to recover from a 1-0 loss to Utrecht, but seeing that PSV do not suit them, anything but a routine away win would be a big surprise. Experienced forward Bas Dost remains on the sidelines with heart problems, while important midfielder Tjaronn Chery has yet to overcome a hamstring injury. In their last meeting at the venue PSV defeated NEC 4-2.
Highlighted Player (Luuk de Jong):
The 26-year-old Dutch striker Luuk de Jong is considered one of Europe’s deadliest strikers with his incredible return of goals in games he spends playing. Luuk de Jong began his football career at De Graafschap in 2008, but moved on to Twente only a year later.
The tally of 39 goals in 76 league appearances earned him a transfer to Borussia Monchengladbach, but his spell in Germany ended in disappointment. Bundesliga club attempted to revive his career by sending him out on loan to Newcastle United but his stint with the English club yielded even more disappointment and concluded in utter disaster with De Jong playing 12 games without scoring a single goal for the Magpies.
A return to Netherlands and PSV Eindhoven turned out to be a proper hit for the 26-year-old striker who has restored his scoring touch with more than 50 goals for the Boeren after less than 90 games.
Highlighted Team (PSV):
Based in Eindhoven, Netherlands, PSV is a professional football club competing the top flight of the Dutch football, Eredivisie. PSV play their home games at the Phillips Stadium which can accommodate 35,000 people. Over the course of its 100-year-old history, PSV has become one of the country’s Big Three clubs that has dominated Eredivisie along with Ajax and Feyenoord.
Known as a stepping stone for future world-class stars, PSV propelled the likes of Ruud Gullit, Ronald Koeman, Romario, Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy and most recently Arjen Robben. The Boeren (Peasants) as they call themselves take pride in Eindhoven’s status of being a provincial city and never hide their Brabantian heritage which allow them to enjoy their uniqueness in the company of more prominent clubs from Dutch big cities.
The Peasants boast 23 domestic league titles and 9 KNVB Cup trophies. They have also managed two major European titles – European Cup in 1987-88 and UEFA Cup in 1977-78.