In round eight of the Eredivisie, PSV travels to Het Kasteel. It is the fourth time this calendar year that PSV takes on the oldest club in professional football: Sparta Rotterdam.
PSV has historically had a good series against the club from the Maas City. The main force lost only one its 29 confrontations with the Spartans since October 1998 (W24-G4-V1). In addition, they are 22 Eredivisie matches in a row unbeaten against the Rotterdammers (W18-G4-V0). Only against VVV-Venlo (35), Go Ahead Eagles (26) and Excelsior (26) has PSV run a longer series.
Not the first time
The previous encounter at Het Kasteel took place at the end of last season. On May 6, the now departed Anwar El Ghazi decided the away win (1-0) with the only goal. Earlier in that season, in January, the two teams faced each other twice in one week. On Jan. 7, in Eindhoven, the scoreboard remained level for ninety minutes and on Jan. 10, PSV won 2-1 on away in the second round of the TOTO KNVB Beker. Xavi Simons and Noni Madueke took the hits.
Guus on the scoreboard
Guus Til has been shooting sharp in recent weeks. He scored a goal in each of the last three league games. He can become the second player this century to score in four consecutive Eredivisie appearances for three different teams, after Matthew Amoah (for Fortuna Sittard, Vitesse and NAC Breda). Guus previously wore the shirts of AZ and Feyenoord.
Few goals against
PSV conceded only two goals in their first seven games. Should Head Coach Peter Bosz 's formation not concede any goals against Sparta Rotterdam, they will equal the club record for fewest goals against after eight Eredivisie games. In both the 1977-1978 and 2007-2008 seasons the tally stood at two.
Winning in away games
The last loss dates back to January, in an away game against FC Emmen (1-0). Since that game, it has won its last seven away games in the Eredivisie. Only in the period December 2015 - September 2016 (thirteen), May 1987 - February 1988 (twelve) and September 1985 - April 1986 (eleven) did PSV record at least eight victories in a row in Eredivisie terms.
Familiar ground
For Shurandy Sambo, playing at Het Kasteel is nothing new. He was leased to Sparta Rotterdam last season and played some thirty league games for the Rotterdammers. With Sparta Rotterdam, Shurandy reached the sixth spot in the league table and reached the final of the playoffs for European football. Shurandy managed to find the net twice that season.
Start of the match is Sunday at 4:45 p.m.
