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

With the title race looking like a lost cause, PSV Eindhoven play host to Heracles on Sunday aiming to take a firm grip on second place.

On the other hand, Heracles are unbeaten in their last four league games coming into the clash, and they will want to keep that run going.

Match preview

© Reuters

PSV's five-game unbeaten streak in all competitions was brought to an end by AZ Alkmaar in a 2-0 defeat at the AFAS Stadion.

Roger Schmidt's men were punished for their slow start to the game as they went behind to Jesper Karlsson's fourth-minute strike, and their woes were compounded midway through the second half when Teun Koopmeiners doubled AZ's lead.

The Rood-witten remain in second place, albeit only on goal difference, having dropped points in three of their last four games.

Sunday's opponents cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw when they met in September's reverse fixture at the Erve Asito.

However, matches in Eindhoven between the teams have been largely one-sided in recent years, with the hosts winning all but one of their last eight stretching back to 2012.

Heracles were unable to record a third victory on the bounce as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sparta Rotterdam on March 21.

Frank Wormuth's men were headed for defeat after going behind to Lennart Thy's strike just before the hour mark, but Rai Vloet popped up with his 13th league goal of the season to restore parity deep into added time.

The Heraclieden have picked up seven points from the last nine available and have moved into 9th place on the log as a result.

However, they are set to face four of the current top eight in their last seven matches - starting with Sunday's game at the Philips Stadion.

Team News

© Reuters

Richard Ledezma and Maximiliano Romero have both had their seasons ended prematurely, picking up ACL and knee injuries respectively.

Ryan Thomas is expected to be unavailable for the clash having missed the home side's last three games with a damaged ankle.

Mauro Junior and Timo Baumgartl are also ruled out, but Ismael Shabari could make his comeback from a muscle injury this weekend.

Heracles will have to deal with the absence of Navajo Bakboord, who has not featured this season as he remains sidelined with a muscle injury.

Besides that, the visitors have a fully fit squad to choose from as they make the journey to one of the most daunting grounds in the division.

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Mvogo; Max, Boscagli, Teze, Dumfries; Rosario, Sangare, Thomas; Gakpo, Vertessen, Zahavi

Heracles possible starting lineup:
Blaswich; Fadiga, Propper, Rente, Quagliata; Schoofs, Azzaoui, De La Torre; Kutucu, Vloet, Burgzorg

We say: PSV Eindhoven 2-0 Heracles

While PSV have not been all that convincing in recent matches, we still expect them to have enough in the tank to get the job done in this one, although the away side have shown that they are no pushovers.