PSV Eindhoven vs. RKC Waalwijk: Mertens and Ten Voorde to shine – Dutch Eredivisie preview
It will be an enthralling battle between PSV Eindhoven and RKC Waalwijk when the fight for supremacy at Philips Stadion on Saturday, August 13.
PSV Eindhoven
Before the 2011/12 campaign started, the Boeren seemed to be working on a renaissance. After three consecutive unsuccessful seasons, they were looking to enhance their squad selection in the ongoing summer transfer market. The objective was to win silverware.
Dries Mertens, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Georginio-Wijnaldum-c14629 were lured to Philips Stadion, but seemingly it wasn’t enough.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 Alkmaar last Sunday, which clearly depicted that the Eindhoven giants desperately need to sign an imposing striker and a central defender before the summer transfer market closes.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fred-c14136 Rutten, the Boeren head coach, received heavy criticism after his troops staged a poor show at AFAS Stadion. However, the Dutch trainer is looking confident and hopes to achieve better results – maximum points – in the upcoming encounter.
RKC Waalwijk
After winning the Eerste Divisie title in the 2010/11 season and earning promotion to Dutch top flight, expectations are not sky-high for RKC as they now dwell in the competitive Eredivisie. A majority of the pundits have forecasted an 18th placed
for the leage newcomers.
However, RKC refuse to go down without a fight as they started their new campaign with a 2-2 stalemate against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Heracles-Almelo-c39520 last Sunday. They would be immensely pleased with their efforts as they staged an impressive show in front of their home crowd.
RKC manager Ruud Brood would be hoping that his troops display an entertaining brand of football in the upcoming encounter in Eindhoven. Brood, though, knows that it will not be an easy task to upset the Eindhoven giants in spite of their wayward form of
late.
Head-to-Head statistics
RKC have not managed to win against PSV in their last five clashes. The Boeren won four matches while the remaining encounter ended in a stalemate.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dries-Mertens-c11679 – PSV Eindhoven
The 24-year-old already opened his account for the Eindhoven giants in the 3-1 loss last week. The Belgian International has remained threatening for the last couple of seasons with his exceptional playmaking skills. Furthermore, the winger’s ability to
score goals on a regular basis makes him one of the most influential players in the squad. He will certainly play a key role should the Boeren secure maximum points in this encounter.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/RKC-Waalwijk-c40370
The tall striker arrived at Mandemakers Stadion earlier in the ongoing summer transfer market on a season-long deal from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/NEC-c40018 Nijmegen and has made an immediate impact. The 20-year-old scored the equaliser against Heracles last week with a superb header.
Voorde would again be hoping to play an important role in the final third of the pitch and secure points for his new side.
Prediction
Although RKC played impressively in their opening encounter of the season, PSV still have the upper hand and remain the favourites to bag all three points in front of their home crowd. The match will end in a 3-1 win for the home side.
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