Former PSV midfielder Wim Jonk has challenged Peter Bosz’s side to prove their quality when they host Eredivisie leaders Feyenoord on Sunday, with the defending champions looking to revive their title challenge after a difficult start to the season.

PSV have won the Dutch league in each of the past three campaigns and are targeting a fourth consecutive title. However, defeats against FC Twente and ADO Den Haag, alongside an opening-day draw with Fortuna Sittard, have left them four points behind Feyenoord ahead of their meeting at the Philips Stadion.

The Rotterdam club remain unbeaten in the Eredivisie, although they suffered a 1-0 Champions League defeat away to Real Betis in midweek. Despite that setback, confidence remains high within the Feyenoord camp, setting up an intriguing contest between the two title contenders.

Speaking to Sportnieuws.nl, Jonk reflected on last season’s corresponding fixture, when PSV raced into a 3-0 lead inside 17 minutes despite Feyenoord making a promising start.

“These are the pickings, right? Last year I was, from my role at the KNVB, sitting in the stands… That was such a special match. PSV were suddenly leading 3-0 within 17 minutes, while Feyenoord started out very nicely in those first ten minutes,” Jonk recalled.

Jonk believes Feyenoord are approaching this weekend’s encounter in a stronger psychological position than they were a year ago.

According to the former midfielder, confidence within the Rotterdam squad has improved, making a repeat of last season’s disastrous opening period less likely.

“Last year, trust was much more fragile. Right now, you can feel that Feyenoord is in a good vibe. It won’t happen to them that they are again in a big deficit within a quarter of an hour,” he said.

Feyenoord’s unbeaten league run has established them as early favourites to challenge for the title, while PSV have been forced to recover from several unexpected setbacks.

Nevertheless, Jonk believes Bosz’s attacking philosophy could make Sunday’s contest particularly compelling.

Bosz has built PSV around an aggressive approach, with his team looking to press high, win possession quickly and overwhelm opponents through attacking intensity.

Jonk expects that philosophy to remain central to PSV’s approach against Feyenoord, but warned that the space left behind could offer the visitors opportunities to hurt the defending champions.

“With Peter Bosz, you know that PSV will go full throttle in order to put the opponent under a great deal of pressure. On Wednesday, you did see that Feyenoord has a very hard time with that,” Jonk explained, as quoted by PSV Inside.

“But there are also opportunities there, because PSV gives away a lot of space. Feyenoord can take advantage of that.”

The tactical battle could therefore hinge on whether PSV can sustain their pressure without leaving themselves exposed to Feyenoord’s forward runners and quick transitions.

Despite PSV’s domestic struggles, Jonk believes their 1-0 Champions League victory over FC Porto could provide the necessary momentum ahead of the weekend.

The result offered Bosz’s team a welcome lift after their defeat to ADO Den Haag, with the champions now facing an opportunity to make a statement against the league leaders.

“PSV have already dropped a few points, but they also received an extra boost thanks to their win over FC Porto, and they will really be fired up to show that they are the best in the Netherlands,” Jonk said.

However, he expects Feyenoord to provide a stern test, pointing to the confidence the visitors have developed during their strong domestic campaign.

“With Feyenoord too, you can see that they have a lot of confidence. It could easily turn into a very evenly matched game,” he concluded.

Jonk’s assessment reflects the uncertainty surrounding Sunday’s match. ESPN analysts Anco Jansen and Marciano Vink have also suggested that the sides are more evenly matched than they were last season.

“I think they are very close to each other at the moment. That is a big compliment to Feyenoord,” Jansen said.

Vink agreed, arguing that Feyenoord currently possess greater dynamism in midfield and highlighting the threat posed by their right flank, alongside Gjivai Zechiël and Luciano Valente.

The ESPN analysts view the fixture as close to a 50-50 contest, while journalists on De Telegraaf’s Kick-Off podcast have also tipped a competitive match, predicting either a 2-2 draw or a 3-2 Feyenoord victory.

With PSV seeking to reassert their dominance and Feyenoord aiming to strengthen their position at the summit, Sunday’s clash offers both sides an opportunity to make an early statement in the Eredivisie title race.