Eagles at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven:
Match Overview
Date/Time: Sunday, August 3, 2025 — Kick‑off at approximately 18:00 CEST (16:00 UTC)
Venue: Philips Stadion, Eindhoven — home stadium of Eredivisie champions PSV, capacity ~35,000 fans
Teams & Historical Context
PSV Eindhoven
Qualified as 2024–25 Eredivisie champions, clinching their 26th Dutch title on the season’s final day
Entering the Johan Cruyff Shield for the fifth straight year, PSV have lifted the trophy 14 times, making them by far the most successful club in competition history
Preseason form has been strong: unbeaten, including a 3–2 win over FC Eindhoven where Ricardo Pepi scored twice and Guus Til added another
Go Ahead Eagles
Based in Deventer, founded in 1902, and finished 7th in the 2024–25 Eredivisie
Historic KNVB Cup winners (first major trophy since 1933), beating AZ in the final to earn their first-ever entry into the Johan Cruyff Shield
They shocked PSV twice last season: winning the KNVB Cup semi-final 2–1 and an Eredivisie match 3–2 on their home turf. New signings boost the attack, but defensive concerns remain amid injuries and leadership changes
Head‑to‑Head
The two sides have met around 75 times in all competitions: PSV have won ~50; Go Ahead, 15; and there have been ~10 draws
Their three encounters in the 2024–25 season were split: GAE won twice (including the cup semi‑final and away league), while PSV won a home league match 3–0
Team News & Likely Absences
PSV
Ricardo Pepi has returned to full fitness after knee injury, scored twice in a friendly — expected to lead the attack
Jerdy Schouten also recovered from injury and now captains the side.
Departures include Malik Tillman, Noa Lang, and Johan Bakayoko, which may limit squad depth upfront
Go Ahead Eagles
Manager Paul Simons moved to Wolfsburg during the summer; Melvin Boel now in charge.
New forwards include Richonell Margaret, Oscar Sivertsen, Oscar Pettersson; but defensive leaders like Jakob Breum, Luca Everink, Finn Stokkers, and Søren Tengstedt are injured or doubts
Oliver Antman may feature despite transfer speculation; the squad will rely on bench depth against PSV
Weather & Attendance
Expect cloudy conditions early evening, temperatures around 22 °C (73°F), gradually cooling to 19‑17 °C with possible showers late night — ideal for fans and action on the pitch
A full house of ~35,000 is likely, given PSV’s home advantage and King’s Cup momentum
Predictions & Key Storylines
Betting markets heavily favour PSV to win (they’re about -600 on money line, implied heavy favourite)
Recent predictions suggest a 3–1 victory for PSV, or win with both teams scoring, backed by strong goal output in pre‑season and final games of last campaign
Analysts highlight PSV’s attacking form and GAE’s vulnerability: over 3.5 goals is a popular proper bet, with both teams to score seen as likely
Summary Table
| Category | PSV Eindhoven | Go Ahead Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 Form | Eredivisie champions, dominant pre-season | KNVB Cup winners, upstarts overcoming odds |
| Silverware | 14 Johan Cruyff Shields record holders | First-ever Shield appearance |
| Key Players | Ricardo Pepi, Guus Til, Schouten (captain) | Edvardsen, Sivertsen, Antman (if fit) |
| Weaknesses | Departed attackers, squad transitions | Defensive absences, new management |
| Recent H2H | Historically dominant, but lost twice recently | GAE gained confidence with wins over PSV |
| Outlook | Strong favourites at home, targeting trophy | Hard underdogs, may score but unlikely to win |
On a breezy Sunday evening in Eindhoven, PSV Eindhoven will lift the curtain on their new season as they host Go Ahead Eagles for the 2025 Johan Cruyff Shield. Reigning Eredivisie champions, PSV are seeking to add a 15th Super Cup to their trophy cabinet, while Eagles—buoyed by their first KNVB Cup triumph—arrive aiming to cap an unforgettable rise with more silverware.
Ricardo Pepi leads the hosts’ charge, fresh from a brace in pre-season, supported by Guus Til and newly minted captain Jerdy Schouten. Go Ahead Eagles, meanwhile, bring an injection of ambition from summer recruits but face the real test of defending their cup-winning spirit without several injured defenders and their former cup-winning manager.
As grey skies hover over Philips Stadion and a light breeze sweeps through, the atmosphere crackles with anticipation. For PSV, it’s another chance to reinforce domestic dominance. For the Eagles, it’s a debut on this grand stage—one final upset dream before the full season begins in earnest.
