SUNDAY 2ND AUGUST 2015

PSV vs. FC GRONINGEN (17:00BST)

This season in the Netherlands will start, just as usual with the Dutch Super Cup. The last five Johan Cruijff Schaal finals have attracted an average of 42.000 fans, but the upcoming clash between FC Groningen and PSV will pull around 24,000 into the stadium, mainly due to the ticket prices.ill, it will be an interesting match between the last champions (PSV) and the last cup winner (FC Groningen) says Martijn Hilhorst. Both clubs have seen players come and go this transfer window. PSV lost a bunch of players including: Memphis Depay, Georginio Wijnaldum, Karim Rekik, but saw Davy Pröpper, Gaston Pereiro & Maxime Lestienne arriving in return. FC Groningen lost Tjaronn Chery, their attacking midfielder to Queens Park Rangers and their captain Maikel Kieftenbeld left for Birmingham City. But, arguably, is not that weakened with Jesper Drost, Bryan Linssen & Abel Tamata joining their squad. The match will be played in the Amsterdam Arena, the stadium of Ajax. The official name of the Dutch Super Cup is the ‘Johan Cruijff Schaal’. Fans from both sides are not that inspired to pay a large sum of money to buy a ticket and travel to Amsterdam. It is expected that only 24,000 fans will be in attendance. It’s the first official match for both sides, so it is hard to predict which players will be vital this Sunday, but based on quality expect Luuk de Jong (PSV) and ex Manchester City-player Albert Rusnák (Groningen) to make an impact. The latter played for both SC Cambuur and FC Groningen last season and impressed the Dutch fans with his skills, goals and great range of passing. He will – most likely – face Jorrit Hendrix as his direct opponent and young Hendrix will have his hands full. Rusnák can be described as a free roaming attacking midfielder who is constantly on the move. On the other side we have Luuk de Jong. The striker was abysmal in the foreign competitions at Borussia Monchengladbach and Newcastle United, but got fit, picked up his game and netted 20 in 32 matches as last season was heaven on earth for the Dutch striker. Receiving crosses from both sides and although Depay did not cross much, but the left-back Jetro Willems behind him was giving constantly crosses. This reflects in his assists: 13 with seven on them were for De Jong. On the other side he had right-winger Luciano Narsingh, who provided ten assists last season. It is truly exciting to see both clubs in their first official match of the season. PSV were absolutely dominant last season, however Andres Guardado and Jetro Willems both will not play this Sunday. The odds say that it should be an easy victory for PSV, but we expect a close match.

INFORMATION

Date: 2-8-2015 (17.00PM UK Time) UK TV: None Stadium: Amsterdam ArenA Referee: Bas Nijhuis Assistants: Rob van de Ven / Charl Schaap Fourth Official: Angelo Boonman

Probable Line-Ups

FC Groningen (4-3-3): Padt; Hateboer, Botteghin, Lindgren, Tamata; Hiariej, Rusnák, Tibbling; Antonia, De Leeuw, Linssen. PSV  (4-3-3): Zoet; Arias, Bruma, Isimat, Poulsen; Hendrix, Pröpper, Maher; Narsingh, De Jong, Lestienne. Click on Martijn’s name above to follow him on Twitter

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