Phillip Cocu’s side would be aiming for all three points against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 Pastoor’s men, to keep their hopes of a second spot finish
alive and compete in UEFA Champions League qualifying round next term.
In round-31 of the Dutch top tier, PSV Eindhoven will lock horns against NEC Nijmegen at Philips Stadion on Sunday, April 22.
PSV Eindhoven
Heading into the game on the back of a hard fought but a good 3-2 win over AZ Alkmaar, the Boeren are brimming with confidence as the season draws to a close.
Occupying the fifth spot on the league table, the Eindhoven giants are trailing the table-toppers, Ajax Amsterdam, by seven points. However, they have a bright chance of finishing at the second spot, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 Alkmaar are only a single point ahead in the league
standings.
Phillip Cocu, PSV head coach, has already given up on the title chase; however, he is confident that his side can snatch the second spot from the Alkmaar outfit and compete in UEFA Champions League qualifying round next term.
NEC Nijmegen
When they take on PSV away from home on Sunday, the Nijmegen outfit would be looking to make amends for their last week’s 4-2 loss at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SC-Heerenveen-c40463 at McDOS Goffertstadion.
NEC are currently sitting 10th on the Eredivisie table, four points behind the last UEFA Europa League play-offs spot. With only 12 points left to play for before the 2011/12 campaign comes to an end, they would be keen to bag maximum points and
finish in the top half of the table.
The outfit from Nijmegen's boss, Alex Pastoor, has urged his side to put in their hundred per cent against the impressive PSV and look to claim a good result. However, the Dutch trainer knows that it will not be an easy task to dismantle the Boeren at Philips
Stadion, where they have been beaten only once this season.
Head-to-Head statistics
PSV have remained the better side in their last five encounters against the Nijmegen outfit. The Eindhoven giants emerged victorious in four matches while the remaining game ended in a stalemate.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dries-Mertens-c11679 – PSV Eindhoven
The pint-sized winger is his side’s most threatening player, especially when he cuts in from the left flank. He has been in supreme form since the start of the ongoing campaign, netting an impressive 18 goals while bagging 11 assists along the way, and will
be looking to add more to his tally this Sunday.
Lasse Schone – http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/NEC-c40018 Nijmegen
The 25-year-old attacking midfielder has remained his side’s most consistent performer. With 10 goals and three assists already to his name, the Danish ace has played an integral role in most of his side’s points. He would be keen to stage another good show
at Philips Stadion and help his side claim a good result.
Prediction
It will be an intriguing encounter between the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/PSV-c40281 and NEC with both sides looking to bag maximum points. The Eindhoven giants have thus far achieved brilliant results at home, and it seems unlikely that the Nijmegen outfit will make life difficult for the
hosts - an easy win looks on the cards.
Predicted score-line: PSV 3-1 NEC
Tags: