PSV Eindhoven begin their bid for a fourth consecutive Eredivisie title when they welcome Fortuna Sittard to the Philips Stadium on Saturday evening.

Peter Bosz's side enter the new league campaign as defending champions after securing their 27th Dutch top-flight title last season. Their title-winning campaign was remarkably consistent, with PSV sealing the championship with five matches remaining before collecting 13 points from their final 15.

However, their preparations for the new season have been less convincing.

PSV won only two of their five pre-season matches, including a victory over lower-league FC Eindhoven, before suffering a major setback in the Johan Cruyff Shield. AZ Alkmaar produced a commanding performance to beat the champions 4-0, with Joey Veerman's early dismissal contributing significantly to PSV's downfall.

That defeat ended a run of six consecutive competitive matches without a loss and will give Bosz an immediate opportunity to see how his players respond when the Eredivisie campaign begins.

Fortuna, meanwhile, endured a mixed end to 2025-26. Danny Buijs's team briefly threatened to enter the European qualification picture after beating FC Volendam on matchday 27, but their form collapsed during the final stretch.

Fortuna won only one of their final seven league matches, drawing once and losing five times, eventually finishing 11th.

Their defensive record will be a particular area of concern. Fortuna conceded the third-most goals in the Eredivisie last season and recorded the second-fewest clean sheets. Their summer recruitment has therefore included several defensive additions, but the opening fixture at the home of the champions will provide an immediate test.

Recent history is very much in PSV's favour.

The Eindhoven club have won each of their last four meetings with Fortuna, completing consecutive league doubles. Their most recent meeting at the Philips Stadium ended in a 5-2 PSV victory, while the corresponding fixture in Sittard finished 2-1 to Bosz's side.

Fortuna have not taken a point at the Philips Stadium since the 2019-20 season.

PSV have also won six of their last seven Eredivisie home matches, highlighting the importance of their home form for their title ambitions.

PSV will remain without Jerdy Schouten, who has been sidelined since April with a knee injury.

Joey Veerman is suspended following his early red card against AZ, while Sergiño Dest is also unavailable because of a carry-over suspension.

New signing Filip Kostić cannot make his PSV debut yet as he is still awaiting a work permit. The Serbian left-back joined after a distinguished career across Germany, Italy, Turkey and Serbia.

With Veerman absent, Paul Wanner could come into midfield, while Sven Mijnans is in contention for his competitive debut following his move from AZ.

Fortuna remain without long-term absentee Ramazan Bayram, while Ivan Márquez is another confirmed omission. Summer arrivals, including Nick de Groot, Siebe Wylin and Sven Simons, are pushing for their competitive debuts, alongside loan signings Shiloh 't Zand, Ole Romeny, Lequincio Zeefuik and Anthony Descotte.

Possible Lineups

PSV Eindhoven: Kovář; Gasiorowski, Fernandez, Flamingo, Sildillia; Wanner, Mauro Júnior; Perišić, Mijnans, Van Bommel; Til.

Fortuna Sittard: Branderhorst; Van Ottele, Hübn­er, De Groot; Dahlhaus, Oukili, Brittijn, Wylin; Romeny, Zeefuik, Peterson.

PSV will be expected to control possession and impose themselves at home, while Fortuna face the task of containing an attack that averaged more than three goals per Eredivisie home match last season.

For Bosz, the immediate priority will be to respond to the AZ defeat and to make a winning start to the title defence. Fortuna, meanwhile, need to show that their defensive improvements can withstand one of the league's toughest opening tests.

The season begins with both sides facing very different objectives, but Saturday's encounter will offer an early indication of how well each has prepared for the campaign ahead.