PSV Eindhoven will look to maintain their strong Eredivisie form when they travel to face ADO Den Haag at the WerkTalent Stadion on Saturday, with the defending champions aiming to avoid a third consecutive away defeat across all competitions.

ADO, meanwhile, are still searching for their first league victory since returning to the top flight and face a daunting challenge against Peter Bosz’s title holders in this gameweek nine encounter.

ADO Den Haag enjoyed an impressive promotion campaign last season, winning the Eerste Divisie with an attack-minded style of football. Their return to the Eredivisie, however, has proved considerably more difficult than anticipated.

Robin Peter’s side have struggled at both ends of the pitch, scoring nine goals and conceding 19 in their opening league matches. With five defeats already recorded, the second-bottom side have found it difficult to reproduce the consistency that carried them to promotion.

Their recent form offers little encouragement, with three defeats and three draws in their last six league matches. ADO have also failed to keep a clean sheet in eight consecutive games, a worrying record ahead of a meeting with PSV’s technically gifted attackers.

History is firmly against the hosts. ADO’s last victory over PSV came in 2011, and they have failed to beat the Eindhoven club in any competition since. PSV have won 17 of the 21 meetings between the sides during the intervening period.

PSV arrive in The Hague looking to build on their 2-0 victory over Heerenveen, which brought their first clean sheet of the league campaign. The result helped Bosz’s side return to winning ways domestically, although their momentum was checked by a 1-0 Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig.

Ivan Perišić missed a penalty in Germany before PSV conceded the decisive goal during the final 15 minutes. That defeat left them without a win in their opening two Champions League matches and extended their run of consecutive away losses to two.

Nevertheless, PSV remain second in the Eredivisie and could finish the weekend at the top of the table. Their attacking quality and superior record make them favourites, although their extensive injury list could limit Bosz’s options.

ADO will be without Milan Hokke, who is suspended following his red card against Telstar. Luka Reischl and Cameron Peupion are also unavailable because of groin and knee injuries respectively.

Yannick Eduardo has provided an encouraging attacking outlet, scoring twice and registering an assist across his last four league appearances. Evan Rottier, who scored and assisted in the 2-2 draw with Telstar, should also play an important role in creating opportunities.

Kilian Nikièma is expected to start in goal, while Jonas Jensen-Abbew, Matteo Waem, Pascal Mulder and Sekou Sylla could form the defensive line.

Bosz continues to contend with a lengthy injury list. Sam Lammers, Ricardo Pepi, Sami Ouaissa, Paul Wanner, Alassane Pléa, Kiliann Sildillia and Jerdy Schouten are among those expected to miss out.

With several recognised forwards unavailable, Guus Til, Ivan Perišić, Ruben van Bommel and Sven Mijnans are likely to shoulder much of the attacking responsibility. Til, PSV’s leading league scorer with five goals, will be particularly important with his forward runs and movement around the penalty area.

Matěj Kovář should retain his place in goal, with Sergiño Dest, Armando Obispo and Filip Kostić among the expected starters in defence.

Possible Starting Lineups

ADO Den Haag: Nikièma; Jensen-Abbew, Waem, Mulder, Sylla; Pozo, Sin, Kilo, Hawkins; Eduardo, Rottier.

PSV Eindhoven: Kovář; Dest, Flamingo, Obispo, Mauro Júnior; Sano, Fernández; Perišić, Til, Van Bommel; Mijnans.