PSV v AZ match preview

PSV welcomes AZ to Philips Stadion in a critical six-point match for the defending champions. With Louis van Gaal's AZ side enjoying an eleven point lead over nearest rival Twente, PSV manager Dwight Lodeweges is focused upon getting back into Champions League contention.

Since the new man has taken over, the hopes of PSV have flourished with the club enjoying a run of three consecutive victories and littering the nets with fourteen goals. Suddenly playing likely a club playing like a side fighting for its fifth successive championship, PSV has quickly climbed up the table with aggressive play and a tenacious spirit.

On the injury front Ola Toivonen will start serving his two match suspension, an unfortunate loss for PSV given his goal scoring prowess. Bas Roorda will miss due to injury and in his place PSV product Jeroen Zoet has been called up for the first time. Louis van Gaal will miss the services of Jeremain Lens, Niklas Moisander, Hector Moreno and Sebastien Pocognoli.

Dwight Lodeweges said prior to the match:

"They are obviously different from FC Volendam and De Graafschap, but I want my team to show their skills against leaders AZ. I’ve called on my players to show no fear. We realise that Dembélé and De Zeeuw are quality players, but we are PSV. We play at home and we aim to continue our winning streak. It’s up to us to neutralise their strengths and we should consider it a huge challenge to expose their weak spots. We’ve warned our players to be wary of AZ’s lethal counter-attacks."