PSV Eindhoven will be looking to boost their chances of silverware this season when they face Emmen in the KNVB Beker last 16 on Wednesday evening.
At a time when the home side sit in fourth place in the Eredivisie standings, Emmen are down in 16th spot, albeit on a respectable run of form.
Match preview
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Since the resumption of action after the World Cup, PSV have been looking for the performance and result which could kick-start a title charge.
Throughout Sunday's fixture at Feyenoord, it appeared that they were striking at the ideal time, leading the frontrunners by a 2-0 scoreline heading in the final 10 minutes.
However, their hosts fought back to net a 95th-minute equaliser, sensationally denying PSV from moving to within two points from the submit at a time when Ajax are also in resurgent form.
Four points now separate the top four teams in the division, and Ruud van Nistelrooy knows that momentum needs to be built from somewhere after a run of just two victories from seven games in the top flight.
PSV also had to battle hard to reach this stage of the KNVB Beker, edging out Sparta Rotterdam by a 2-1 scoreline on away territory.
From Emmen's perspective, they have come through away ties at ADO '20 and VVV Venlo, setting them up for another encounter on the road at the Philips Stadion.
Nevertheless, their focus remains on trying to remain in the Eredivisie, and they can be satisfied with their form since the beginning of November.
Nine points have been accumulated from eight matches, the most recent point coming from a 2-2 draw at home to Vitesse at the weekend.
Dick Lukkien's side were two goals down in that fixture, giving them momentum ahead of the daunting trip to PSV, but they possess the worst away record in the Eredivisie with nine defeats in 10 outings.
Team News
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Van Nistelrooy will make a number of changes to his PSV side with Phillip Mwene and Anwar El Ghazi being withdrawn through injury on Sunday and Armando Obispo collecting a red card.
Patrick van Aanholt, Andre Ramalho and Johan Bakayoko appear most likely to be recalled, but Van Nistelrooy will want to further freshen up his side.
Erick Gutierrez, Thorgan Hazard and Fabio Silva are also in line to start, while veteran goalkeeper Boy Waterman could deputise between the sticks.
While fewer alterations are expected in the Emmen ranks, Lorenzo Burnet and Jeroen Veldmate face dropping out of the team.
Julius Dirksen may feature in the centre of the defence, with Dennis Vos making a first start for Emmen at left-back versus his former club.
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Waterman; Teze, Branthwaite, Ramalho, Van Aanholt; Gutierrez, Veerman; Bakayoko, Simons, Hazard; Silva
Emmen possible starting lineup:
Hart; Bouchouari, Te Wierik, Araujo, Dirksen, Vos; Messaoudi, Veendrop, Bernadou; Assehnoun, Diemers
We say: PSV Eindhoven 3-0 Emmen
On the back of the frustration from the weekend, there will be a determination within the PSV squad to put things right. With that in mind, we expect a dominant win for the home side, one which is much needed with regards to the context of their season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
