PSV's width and movement in the box should bring them more territory, but their recent attacks have left space for opponents to break forward. Heerenveen have shown how to turn those openings into chances through a central pass and quick runs outside it. The key contest is between PSV's repeated box entries and Heerenveen's ability to attack the space behind the advancing home unit.
Til and Mijnans give PSV a working attack despite the missing natural strikers. Bajraktarevic's deliveries helped Mijnans score against Sparta, and Mauro supplied Til at Twente. Heerenveen's midfield and centre-backs will have runners to track throughout the match.
At the other end, Smans supplied two assists against Sparta, with Rivera and Trenskow finishing attacks built from turnovers and open space. Linday and Courtens both played substantial minutes in that match and provide the links for those forward passes. PSV conceded from a turnover against Shakhtar and from a run behind and a long counter in Twente's late comeback, giving this visiting attack a clear area to target.
Wanner's absence removes a player involved in PSV's recent finishing sequences, while Pepi's absence limits the natural-striker options. Heerenveen still have Courtens's demonstrated midfield role without Proper. Hilgers and Egbring are reported available again, expanding the defensive choices; the attacking case rests on the existing midfield and forward connections.
I expect PSV to spend longer attacking, with Heerenveen's best openings coming after the first press is bypassed or a fullback advances. That gives the visitors a way to answer home pressure through their own chances. That's why I'm siding with Heerenveen to keep the match close.
