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PSV are coming into the season as back to back Eredivisie Champions. They won the title on the final day of the season after Ajax slipped up. The Dutch club will be in search of their 24th league title and looking to complete a Three-Peat. They already have one trophy this season, winning the Johan Cruyff Shield last week over Feyenoord. Their success last season was due in part to their Mexican internationals.
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Andres Guardado has been just as important for PSV as he has been for Mexico the last couple of years. He is now Vice Captain of the club in addition to wearing the armband for country. El Principito is the engine of the PSV attack. Usually dropping all the way back to receive the ball from the defense to start the attack. He finished the season as amongst the league leaders in several different categories. WhoScored had him as the 6th highest rated player in all of the Eredivisie and it’s easy to see why. He had the 3rd highest assist total in the league (9), even connected with Moreno for 3 of them. Although he’s always been more of a facilator, he has been known to bag a goal here and there.
Hector Moreno enjoyed much success in his former league. He won the league back in 2009 with AZ Alkmaar, thus joining Carlos Salcido and Andres Guardado as 2-time Eredivisie winners. Some questioned his move from La Liga back to the Eredivisie, saying it was a step backward for his career. Moreno played well enough in the league and Champions League to have himself attached with rumors of transferring to bigger leagues. The current rumor has him signing with Arsenal but as of right now, he is set to start the year at PSV. Another year as a starter on a club playing in Champions League and challenging for league titles might be what Moreno wants over a new team. Time will tell but as long as he is at PSV, he will be a key player along the backline.
The Eredivisie is known for high scoring affairs where games are never really over but the league title is a different story. Of the last 17 league winners, one 2 were not won by PSV or Ajax. Expect those 2 clubs to battle it out for the title this year as well. The 2 clubs finished nearly 20 points above 3rd place Feyenoord and combined for a Goal Difference of +116. Guardado and Moreno are automatic starters and will need to keep their high level of play if PSV are to defend the title.
Match date/time: 8/6/16, 1:45pm EST
Venue: Stadion Galgenwaard
TV: Univision Deportes Network (US - Spanish)
Streaming: Fubo.tv