Match preview

PSV go into this weekend’s Eredivisie clash with NAC Breda as clear favorites, a position they have earned through their continued dominance in the Dutch top flight this season, with the Eindhoven side sitting at the top of the table 16 points ahead of second-placed Feyenoord and with just one loss in 19 games, the lowest number of losses of any Eredivisie team but the strongest record in the league.

Their prestige has been built primarily on their relentless attacking prowess, with PSV currently the most prolific team in the division, with 59 goals in 19 league games, an average of 3.1 goals per game. This number is comfortably above the league average of 30.8 goals per team and reflects their ability to control games while converting chances at an elite rate.

PSV’s dominance is even more pronounced at the Philips Stadium, where they have won each of their last nine Eredivisie matches against NAC Breda at home, and this match consolidates their long-standing dominance and underlines why the hosts go into Saturday’s game confident of extending their points.

The overall performance of the competition has been generally positive recently, with Red and White team PSV recording convincing domestic wins such as a 5-1 win against Excelsior in the league, a 2-1 away win against Fortuna Sittard, and a 2-0 away win against Heerenveen in December, supporting PSV’s continued authority in domestic competitions.

However, that momentum was briefly halted in midweek’s European game, with PSV losing 3-0 away to Newcastle United in the Champions League, a setback that derailed their continental ambitions but did not affect their status at the top of the Eredivisie.

With a solid defense and a fluid attack, PSV led the league in goal difference midway through the season, with contributions spread across the front, allowing head coach Peter Bosz to rotate attacking options without sacrificing output or cohesion.

Saturday’s victory would not only maintain PSV’s commanding lead at the top of the table, but also strengthen their momentum heading into the league’s restart after the winter break. Stability is now vital as the club heads towards a decisive phase of the title race.

Historically, this match has strongly favored PSV, who have won 76 of the 121 competitive matches between the two teams, with NAC Breda winning 24 and 21 matches ending in draws, further underscoring Eindhoven’s long-term pattern of dominance.

© Imago / DeFodi Images

NAC Breda travel to the Philips Stadion under mounting pressure as they continue to struggle with attacking momentum this season. With just 19 goals in 19 Eredivisie games, the lowest total in the league, averaging just one goal per game, this statistic highlights persistent problems in front of goal.

These problems have been exacerbated away from home, with NAC without a win in their last nine league games and scoreless in their last three, further underscoring the need to be more efficient if they take on PSV this weekend.

Despite the difficulties of the team as a whole, Karl Höfkens showed signs of promise through his individual performances, and Moussa Soumano in particular reminded us of the talent within the team by becoming, at 20 years and 192 days, the youngest NAC Breda player to score twice in a Friedenroteri Eredivisie match since Stipe Perica achieved this feat in September 2014.

The club also sought to add experience over the winter period by signing former Nottingham Forest and Ghana international Andre Ayew, and it is hoped his arrival will bring leadership and calm to the attack as Breda look to reverse their current trajectory.

NAC’s past six games have been difficult, with the team only picking up two points during that period and seeing limited offensive returns throughout the league and cup matches, while defensive vulnerabilities were repeatedly seen.

These include a dramatic 4-3 defeat at home to NEC Nijmegen in their most recent match, followed by a goalless draw away to FC Groningen, a narrow 1-0 loss at home to Telstar away, a 1-1 draw at home to FC Utrecht, and a 1-0 away defeat to Excelsior in late November, all of which resulted in NAC scoring four goals and conceding eight goals.

Recent meetings between the two teams in the Eredivisie have further highlighted the gap this season, with PSV narrowly winning 1-0 away at Breda in November 2025, but the NAC are once again left with a difficult task as they prepare for a rematch with the league leaders.

PSV Eindhoven Eredivisi form:

PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions):

NAC Breda Eredivisi form:

team news

©Imago/ANP

PSV are expected to be without a number of players for Saturday’s game, with Ruben van Bommel, Alassane Prea, Myron Boadu, Nick Origi, Ricardo Pepi and Sergino Dest all likely to be unavailable due to ongoing injury issues, while Anas Salah Edin is a big doubt after being substituted with an injury doubt against Newcastle.

Ismael Saibari returned to the squad for the first time in more than a month after playing in the 2025 African Cup of Nations, which saw hosts Morocco lose to Senegal in extra time to reach the final.

The boss may also be looking to rotate his squad after the defeat to Newcastle in midweek, with Bayern Munich visiting Japan on Wednesday. This comes as they aim to keep PSV in the top 24 of the Champions League, balancing domestic priorities and securing a place in the knock-off play-off rounds.

NAC Breda is also facing selection concerns, with head coach Jean-Paul Hefkens still unable to call up Leo Greiml and Fredrik Jensen, both of whom are expected to miss Saturday’s game due to injury.

Terrence Kongolo will not be involved as he continues to deal with unspecified health issues. However, Breda have been given a boost by the return of Sherion Valerius, who served a one-match suspension for last weekend’s dramatic 4-3 home defeat to NEC Nijmegen.

PSV Eindhoven’s expected starting lineup:

Khobar; Sildiria, Schouten, Flamingo, Obispo. Junior, Vierman, Till. Man, Saibari, Bajraktarevic

NAC Breda starting candidates:

Bjelica; Kemper, Mahmutovic, Hillen, Valerius. Sowa, Ballard, Holtby. Soumano, Brim, Van Hooydonk

PSV Eindhoven 3-1 NAC Breda

PSV may prefer to face Bayern in the Champions League next, given their 16-point lead, but they have won all of their last 13 Eredivisie games.

NAC Breda will face a tough challenge if they want to become the third visiting team to avoid defeat at the Philips Stadion this season, but despite the difference in priorities, the hosts are expected to secure a regular win on Saturday.

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