PSV starts the home match against Heracles Almelo with a comfortable starting position. Phillip Cocu's team is five points ahead of nearest rivals Ajax and Feyenoord, who meet at De Kuip.
Over fifty years unbeaten
Heracles Almelo came to the Philips Stadium seventeen times before for a league match. Often the team got back on the bus without points: fourteen times they lost, twice the match ended in a draw and only once they won. The only defeat PSV suffered at home against Heracles was more than fifty years ago. In the 1964-1965 season it was 0-1.
Difficult last encounters
In more recent history, PSV has struggled considerably against the Heracles on a number of occasions. Last season, PSV - Heracles ended in a 1-1 draw. The now departed Samuel Armenteros put Heracles ahead, Gastón Pereiro brought PSV level. Two years ago, PSV lost 2-1 to Heracles. This may have been an away game, but thanks to this victory, Heracles is one of four teams that managed to win over PSV since the 2015-2016 season.
Fireworks after halftime
The game on Sunday may not get off the ground until after halftime. Both teams are on a better footing after the break. PSV scored 18 of their 26 goals in the second half. In fact, 13 of the last 14 goals came after halftime. But Heracles also performed significantly better in the second half than in the first. Stegeman's team scored ten of the total of 12 goals in the last 45 minutes.
The full Heracles Almelo selection can be found here.