Rik Elfrink, Eindhovens Dagblad, previews PSV

Rik Elfrink, PSV reporter for Eindhovens Dagblad newspaper, gives us the inside track on what we can expect from the Eredivisie leaders in tonight's crucial UEFA Champions League Matchday Four encounter at Wembley in our latest 'Preview from the Press Box'.

PSV's form since MD3

Rik: "PSV haven’t lost a league game since the first meeting against Spurs but they lost a game in the KNVB Cup. It was with an entirely different team to what they would usually put out. Mark van Bommel started with 11 other players and there was a lot of criticism for that because it’s the second most important prize in Holland but against Spurs, the strongest 11 will start.

"In the league, they played in Groningen and that was a difficult game to win, managing it in the final minutes. It was a bit of a typical PSV game as they dominated the second half. They didn’t have the same shape as they had in the first weeks of the season. It was a difficult game against Vitesse Arnhem (on Saturday) because Vitesse got a red card after the first quarter, it was 75 mins with 11 against 10, so it was a difficult game. They needed to capitalise, and they managed to get that goal.

"I think Spurs played very well against PSV. They dominated in the second half and it was kind of a lucky draw for PSV. This is a different game but the level that Spurs reached in Eindhoven was really good. It’s not that people in Eindhoven admired it but the performance was very good, and people recognised that. Everyone knows it will be a very difficult game for PSV, who are by far the team with the lowest financial capability in this Champions League group. That is what Van Bommel also said in the press conference. I think he wanted to say to us 'don’t expect too much from us' but we will see, there’s always a chance."

This game

Rik: "It’s difficult because van Bommel has said that he doesn’t like to defend much but sometimes they can’t be too high up the pitch because that could be trouble for PSV. There has to be some courage in the team because if you don’t have that, then Spurs will be able to win. It is also very difficult to play a game while it is 0-0 but I think van Bommel wanted to say that they might play a little bit more defensively. They will try to use the pace of Hirving Lozano and the pace of Steven Bergwijn, they are the two wingers of PSV. Lozano, who has been followed by the top scouts in England, is a real danger. He is the player with the highest skill in PSV.

"I think van Bommel will still play with three attackers with Luuk de Jong because he is strong with his head and you always have a chance when you play the ball forward through the air with him. I think PSV’s midfield was pretty poor against Spurs, but I don’t think there will be any changes, I think he will play with the same 11. The midfield will have to do much better though and I mean in possession, they have to be more accurate and they have to show some courage to play the ball forward. PSV have to be on the top of their game but when they are, they can get a result, maybe even a win because they are a dangerous team with Lozano and Bergwijn. It will be very difficult though because obviously Spurs are a strong attacking team."

Key player

Rik: "Hirving Lozano is the key player. When you use his pace, then he is the key player when you have possession. I think Lozano is the one that can score but don’t underestimate Luuk de Jong, who is very strong with his head. He is a very strong attacker in the Eredivisie, but I think he also wants to show something in England because he played here before and it didn’t work out how he wanted. So, I think he wants to show his capabilities and I’m very curious to see whether he will succeed because I think for him, it will be great to score at Wembley. There has been criticism that he is not a very technical player, but I think he is a very strong man, he is the target man of PSV, but he doesn’t have the pace of Lozano or Bergwijn."

Key area

Rik: "I thought the midfield of Spurs did very well against PSV in Eindhoven. You saw that in the second half. Eriksen was as free as he could be, he could do what he wanted and especially Spurs’ second goal was a beautiful one. So, I think PSV’s midfield have to defend better and keep hold of the ball better. I think the midfield is the weakest link of PSV. They have the possibility to make some changes. They have another Mexican player, Erick Gutiérrez, who is a stronger player on the ball, but I think Jorrit Hendrix is a better organiser, especially without the ball, so I expect him to start the game. Van Bommel is not a coach that changes a lot though, so I think he will hold onto his starting 11."

Prediction

Rik: "Normally I would think Spurs would win because they have the stronger team. They have some injuries, so that could be an advantage for PSV. Mousa Dembélé is not there and he was strong in Eindhoven. I think PSV could surprise people. It could be 1-1."