PSV Eindhoven can move to the top of the Eredivisie with victory over Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday. 

Peter Bosz’s side return to domestic action after a Champions League draw with Shakhtar Donetsk, while Sparta arrive in Eindhoven looking to end a long wait for victory in this fixture.

PSV Eindhoven have the chance to reclaim top spot in the Eredivisie when they welcome Sparta Rotterdam to the Philips Stadion on Sunday.

AZ Alkmaar's draw with Willem II on Friday night has given the reigning champions a chance to move level on points with the league leaders and take first place on goal difference with a victory.

Peter Bosz's side enter the sixth matchday with considerable confidence following their 3-1 victory over Ajax at the Johan Cruijff Arena last weekend. That result ended PSV's five-match winless run against their Amsterdam rivals and represented their first league victory in the capital since November 2022.

After the Ajax victory, PSV drew 1-1 against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Thursday. PSV had to settle for a point after failing to find a winning goal, but attention now turns back to the Eredivisie and the opportunity to maintain their strong domestic start.

PSV's recent league numbers underline their attacking strength. Across their last 10 Eredivisie matches, they have recorded eight wins and two draws, averaging 3.7 goals from 17.9 attempts per match. They have also averaged 7.9 shots on target and 60.1% possession during that period.

Their defensive record has been less dominant, with opponents averaging 1.1 goals, but PSV's attacking output has consistently provided the difference.

Sparta Rotterdam arrive with a difficult task. PSV have won their last eight meetings with Sparta, while the previous 10 encounters have produced nine PSV victories and one draw.

Sparta's last success against PSV came in the KNVB Beker in October 2016. In the league, they have not defeated their Eindhoven opponents since November 2001, while their last victory in Eindhoven dates back to December 1995.

Their most recent meeting ended in a 2-0 PSV victory at Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel.

Rogier Meijer's side have also endured an inconsistent start to the new campaign. Their only league victory came on matchday two, when Sparta defeated Telstar 3-1. Since then, they have struggled to build momentum.

Their last 10 league matches have produced one win, three draws and six defeats, with an average of 1.4 goals scored per match.

There are, however, attacking signs for Sparta. They have scored at least two goals in three of their last four matches, including three against Telstar and a 3-3 draw with FC Utrecht. Milan Zonneveld has also scored in three consecutive appearances and assisted in the 2-2 draw with PEC Zwolle last week.

Shunsuke Mito has supplied two assists this season, while Mitchel van Bergen provides another threat from the flank.

Ruben van Bommel remains available after avoiding retrospective punishment for his challenge on Ajax defender Aaron Bouwman. The winger has contributed in four consecutive Eredivisie matches, scoring twice and providing two assists.

Ricardo Pepi leads PSV's scoring charts with three goals, while Van Bommel and Sergiño Dest have two each.

Bosz is expected to be without Alassane Plea, Sam Lammers, Sami Ouaissa, Mikkel Bro Hansen, Kiliann Sildillia and Jerdy Schouten, with Schouten continuing his recovery from an ACL injury.

Mauro Júnior returns from suspension and is expected to replace Filip Kostic at left-back. Matej Kovar starts in goal, with Dest, Lutsharel Geertruida and Armando Obispo completing the defensive unit.

Kodai Sano is expected to retain his place after impressing against Shakhtar, while Noah Fernandez comes into midfield for Paul Wanner. Guus Til completes the midfield three.

Ivan Perisic, Pepi and Van Bommel are expected to lead the attack.

Sparta have fewer selection concerns ahead of the trip south, although Robin van Cruijsen remains a doubt and will be assessed before kick-off.

Martes, Young, Martins Indi, and Kuipers are expected to form the backline, while Baas and Hatenboer start in central midfield spots.

Zonneveld's current form makes him one of the visitors' principal attacking threats, while Mito and Van Bergen are expected to provide support from behind and out wide.

With PSV returning from European action and Sparta possessing enough attacking quality to threaten, Bosz will want his side to combine the confidence gained from the Ajax victory with greater efficiency than they showed against Shakhtar. A win would put PSV at the top and keep their early title defence on track.

Probable PSV Line-up: Kovar; Dest, Geertruida, Obispo, Mauro Júnior; Sano, Fernandez, Til; Perisic, Pepi, Van Bommel.

Possible Sparta Rotterdam Line-up: Bednarek; Martes, Young, Martins Indi, Kuipers; Baas, Hatenboer; Terho, Mito, Van Bergen; Zonneveld.