Sitting in sixth place of the Eredivisie, PSV is in desperate need of a victory following the miserably played 3-1 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League. While Hubb Stevens side has fallen-out of European competition, they cannot lose grip on the domestic race. With AZ pushing forward, now a full ten points ahead, they cannot afford a slip-up against second from the bottom Vitesse Arnhem.
For the trip to Arnhem, Hubb Stevens will be missing Ibrahim Afellay, Nordin Amrabat and Mike Zonneveld with Stef Nijland and Jan Kromkamp doubtful.
Prior to the match Hubb Stevens commented:
"Having been eliminated from the KNVB Cup and the Champions League, we will now be able to focus attention on the domestic campaign. We still have three games left before the winter break sets in and we will try to earn maximum points, starting on Sunday. We will also train on Saturday and then we will be in a position to see who will be called and who will be dropped from the squad. They’re (Vitesse) building a new team and will do their utmost to get a good result. Vitesse may be in a low position in the Eredivisie, but we are wary of the threat they pose and won’t be taking anything for granted at the Gelredome on Sunday. Yet we are expected to take home the three points."