Preview: AZ Alkmaar vs. PSV Eindhoven - prediction, team news, lineups

Early front-runners PSV Eindhoven travel to the AFAS Stadion on Saturday seeking to maintain their perfect start to the new Eredivisie season.

On the other hand, AZ Alkmaar go in search of a second consecutive victory after picking up their first three points of the campaign last time out.

Match preview

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PSV cruised past Groningen in an emphatic 5-2 victory at the Philips Stadion on August 28 to make it three league wins from as many games.

Roger Schmidt's men took the lead early on through Cody Gakpo, before two quickfire goals from Cyril Ngonge turned the game on its head, but last season's runners-up went into the interval ahead following a Mo El Hankouri own goal and Andre Ramalho's strike in the final minute of added time.

Having already thrown away a lead once, the Rood-witten ensured that lightning would not strike twice by putting the result to bed courtesy of second-half goals from Eran Zahavi and Bruma.

The Eindhoven-based side lead the way after the first three rounds of matches with nine points, two clear of defending champions Ajax and Utrecht.

In their final domestic involvement before the Europa League gets underway, Saturday's visitors will aim to keep the juggernaut rolling.

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AZ Alkmaar saw off the challenge of Heerenveen in a 3-1 triumph at the Abe Lenstra Stadion to get their Eredivisie campaign up and running.

Pascal Jansen's men found themselves behind to Henk Veerman's 11th-minute opener, but responded superbly through goals from Vangelis Pavlidis, Aslak Fonn Witry and Dani De Wit.

The Cheeseheads now prepare for the visit of a PSV side who they have defeated in each of the last four meetings between the teams by a combined score of 10-1.

Like their visitors, Saturday's hosts also have a Europa League group-stage clash on the horizon and will be keen to head into the game on a high.

Team News

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Cody Gakpo has been involved in more Eredivisie goals than any player this term, but the 22-year-old is ruled out of this weekend's game due to injury.

Richard Ledezma continues his spell on the sidelines through a knee injury which he sustained last December in a European fixture versus Omonia Nicosia.

Dutch defender Owen Wijndal is AZ's only unavailable player for Saturday's contest as he is yet to fully recuperate from a groin injury.

The absence of Teun Koopmeiners - who has now completed a move to Serie A side Atalanta - has created an attacking void which the likes of De Wit will be tasked to fill.

Vangelis Pavlidis opened his account for the hosts with a well-taken finish last time out and will be looking to continue his heroics in front of goal.

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:
Verhulst; Oosting, Martins Indi, Letschert, Sugawara; Midtsjo, Clasie, De Wit; Aboukhlal, Pavlidis, Gudmundsson

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Mvogo; Max, Boscagli, Ramalho, Teze; Sangare, Van Ginkel, Gotze; Thomas, Zahavi, Madueke

We say: AZ Alkmaar 1-2 PSV Eindhoven

Each team has a lot of attacking talent on display, so we expect goals at both ends in this one. We are also tipping the away side to claim a narrow victory over their hosts, keeping their 100% record intact in the process.