KNVB Beker | Quarter-Finals

Feb 5, 2025 at 5.45pm UK

Philips Stadion

PSV vs Feyenoord

Match preview

PSV, who came back from the brink of defeat at Champions League leaders Liverpool in midweek, squandered a 3-1 lead in second-half stoppage time to draw with NEC Nijmegen in Saturday's six-goal thriller.

Goals from Luuk de Jong, Ismael Saibari and Johan Bakayoko put the Eindhoven club in control, but NEC fought back to snatch an unlikely point.

However, PSV, who had previously secured a Champions League play-off spot, remain three points clear at the top of the Dutch top flight - although Ajax are now just two points behind with a game in hand.

The failure to win continues a trend that will be of concern to head coach Peter Bosz. Since the start of the year, there has been a distinct dip in form, with his side having won just one of their last four league games.

Extra time was also needed to overcome Excelsior in the KNVB Beker's last 16 after a dramatic 3-3 draw after 90 minutes: Ricardo Pepi and Ivan Perisic both scored to help PSV avoid a penalty shootout and win 5-4.

They then missed out on a quarter-final tie with one of the two remaining amateur clubs, instead pitting Bosz against the club he represented over 100 times during his playing career.

Feyenoord's February schedule begins in the toughest of ways, with a trip to Eindhoven following a clash with arch-rivals Ajax in the Klassieker.

The Rotterdam side also met PSV in the cup last season, winning 1-0 at De Kuip thanks to a goal from Quinten Timber, before beating NEC in the final.

This season, they have already seen off MVV and Rijnsburgse Boys to reach the quarter-finals, and retaining the KNVB Beker is their best chance of winning silverware.

Indeed, it has been reported that only a recent 3-0 win over Bayern Munich saved Brian Priske's job after a string of disappointing results in the Eredivisie.

Arne Slot's successor has struggled to make an impact, with his side 14 points adrift of PSV and just outside the European places. Although they did manage to secure a play-off spot, Feyenoord also lost 6-1 to Lille in their last Champions League game.

They suffered another setback on Sunday when they appeared to be on course for a 1-1 draw with Ajax thanks to a second-half equaliser from Timber, only for the Amsterdam giants to score again in added time to put Priske under even more pressure.

Recent Performance

PSV Eindhoven KNVB Beker form:WW

PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions):WLWWWD

Feyenoord KNVB Beker form:WW

Feyenoord form (all competitions):LWDWLL

Team News

Peter Bosz has recently lost PSV's top scorer Ricardo Pepi to an ACL injury sustained in the Champions League win over Liverpool, while centre-back Olivier Boscagli has also been ruled out for the foreseeable future.

In Pepi's absence, veteran striker Luuk de Jong, who took his Eredivisie tally for the season to 10 on Saturday, should lead the home attack in midweek.

Malik Tillman, Noa Lang and Sergino Dest are also out, but wingers Ivan Perisic and Johan Bakayoko are both available to support De Jong up front.

Meanwhile, the departure of Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez has come as a blow to Feyenoord, with the 23-year-old agreeing a move to AC Milan last weekend.

Injury-hit goalkeeper Justin Bijlow also missed the clash, meaning Timon Wellenreuther could be called upon to deputise once again. Calvin Stengs could also join long-term absentees Jordan Lotomba and Ramiz Zerrouki on the sidelines.

In rare good news for beleaguered boss Brian Priske, captain Quinten Timber returned to action with a goal against Ajax and should be ready to start.

Possible starting lineup

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:

Benitez; Ledesma, Flamingo, Obispo, Junior; Veerman, Schouten; Bakayoko, Saibiri, Perisic; De Jong

Feyenoord possible starting lineup:

Wellenreuther; Nieuwkoop, Trauner, Hancko, Bueno; Milambo, Timber, Hwang; Hadj-Moussa, Ueda, Paixao