Verdict: PSV to score in both halves
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Officially getting the defence of their Eredivisie crown underway on Saturday night, PSV will welcome Sparta Rotterdam to the Philips Stadion.
PSV
Starting with the hosts, mounting what was an iconic late comeback last season as they successful defended their domestic crown, PSV open the 2025/26 campaign once again pencilled in as the standout title contender. Underlining their status as Holland’s new poster boys, Peter Bosz’s side will be confident of laying down an early marker here. Already adding a piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet, after lifting the Johan Cruyff Shield thanks to a 2-1 victory against the Go Ahead Eagles, PSV find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Remarkably winning all of their final seven consecutive Eredivisie appearances, Saturday’s hosts also gained a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third.
PSV Team News
Completing a big-money move from domestic rivals AZ Alkmaar this summer, Ruben van Bommel could make his full PSV debut on Saturday night. Likewise, fellow new recruit Yarek Gasiorowski will start at the heart of Bosz’s defence this weekend.
Putting pen to paper on a new deal at the Philips Stadion last month, former Tottenham star Ivan Perisic will feature in the final third. Completing a loan switch from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, Czech Republic international Matej Kovar will start between the sticks.
Sparta Rotterdam
As for the visitors, left frustrated last season as they had to settle for a bottom-half finish among Holland’s elite, Sparta Rotterdam spent large spells of the 2024/25 campaign looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap. Gaining a reputation for their glaring inconsistencies, Maurice Steijn’s men will come under some serious scrutiny this time around. Signing off last season with a routine 3-1 defeat at the hands of PSV, Saturday’s guests couldn’t have asked for a tougher opening weekend challenge here. Mustering just a single win from any of their final five Eredivisie showdowns prior to the summer break, Sparta are pencilled in as a landslide underdog when they travel to the Phillips Stadion.
Sparta Rotterdam Team News
Arriving from domestic rivals AZ Alkmaar on a free transfer last month, one-time Stoke City defender Bruno Martins Indi will start at the heart of Sparta’s defence on Saturday night. Completing a loan switch from PSV this summer, Joel Drommel will start between the sticks against his partner club.
The only player in Rotterdam to notch double digit Eredivisie strikes, Norwegian marksman Tobias Lauritsen will lead the line here. Arriving from Turkish giants Fenerbahce last year, former Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt will start at left-back.
PSV vs Sparta Rotterdam Key Factors to Consider
- When PSV and Rotterdam last met on May 18th, the reigning Eredivisie champions collected a 3-1 victory at the Sparta Stadion.
- In fact, PSV have won their previous six meetings against Sparta Rotterdam by an aggregate score of 16-5.
- PSV are unbeaten in all of their last 15 straight showdowns against Saturday’s guests across all competitions (13 wins, two draws).
- The reigning Dutch champions won all of their final seven Eredivisie appearances last season.
- The Lighbulbs bagged an astonishing 103 goals in their 34 Eredivisie appearances last season.
Conclusion
Getting the defence of their Eredivisie crown underway on Saturday night, PSV will be confident of laying down an early marker here. Lifting the Johan Cruyff Shield thanks to a 2-1 victory against the Go Ahead Eagles, Bosz’s side are rightfully installed as a landslide contender this weekend. Signing off the 2024/25 campaign with a routine 3-1 win against Sparta, PSV hold a sensational record against Saturday’s guests. Winning all of their last six meetings by an aggregate score of 16-5, they have also not suffered a single defeat against Rotterdam back in 2016.
Verdict: PSV to score in both halves
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
