Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — PSV 1st with 84 points, Sparta Rotterdam 10th with 43, 41 apart. Recent form told a different story for Sparta Rotterdam: only 17th in the league over the last five rounds despite sitting 10th. Scoring rates set the scale: Sparta Rotterdam 1.18 scored and 1.82 conceded per game, PSV 2.97 and 1.32, with the league averaging 1.59.
The head-to-head ledger counts 19 games: 0 Sparta Rotterdam wins, 16 for PSV, 3 draws, at 3.21 goals per meeting. The host's record in this fixture is thin — 37% of meetings won. Goals tend to flow: 63% of the meetings produced three or more, and both sides scored in 63%. Where history says 3.21 goals per meeting, the last five say 4.8.
Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel, capacity 11,026, hosted the game. On the scoreboard, PSV led 1-0 at the break; 1 second-half goal set the final 0-2.
Goal scorers
PSV: Ricardo Pepi (45'), Ismael Saibari (80')
Key stats
Possession: Sparta Rotterdam 38% · PSV 62% · Total shots: 9-18 · On target: 4-5 · Corners: 2-5