Champions League: Juve Can Knock Off the Reigning Dutch Champs

PSV Eindhoven vs Juventus

PSV Eindhoven and Juventus will reconvene at the Philips Stadion this Wednesday night for the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie. The Bianconeri won 2-1 in the first leg, and a win or draw here will see them qualify for the Round of 16. However, the defending Dutch Eredivisie champions can advance if they overturn their one-goal deficit.

PSV Eindhoven are fresh from a 2-2 draw against Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie last weekend. It was a game they almost lost, but Isaac Babadi’s late equaliser saved the day. Peter Bosz’s side is second in the league with 52 points, trailing by two against Ajax.

Juventus are coming off a narrow 1-0 victory against Inter Milan in Serie A, as Francisco Conceicao scored the marginal goal in the second half. As a result, the Bianconeri improved to fourth in the Italian top-flight table with 46 points.

 

Talking Points

PSV Eindhoven don’t have their USA contingent

The odds are stacked against Peter Bosz’s men, as PSV Eindhoven might miss up to five key players against the Bianconeri. Ricardo Pepi, their top scorer this season with 11 league goals and two assists, is ruled out for the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury. Fellow Americans Sergino Dest and Malik Tillman are also among the team’s long-term absentees. Full-backs Rick Karsdorp and Olivier Boscagli are unlikely to play either.

Mauro Junior, Richard Ledezma, and Manchester United loanee Tyrell Malacia will therefore vie for places in the starting XI. Luuk de Jong, Johan Bakayoko, and Ivan Perisic will likely start up front, with Joey Veerman, Guus Til, and Jerdy Schouten behind them in the middle of the park. Centre-backs Ryan Flamingo and Armando Obispo will cover goalkeeper Walter Daniel Benitez.

Luuk de Jong is the team’s top scorer with 10 league goals and five assists. Guus Til has eight league goals and six assists, and Johan Bakayoko has seven league goals and one assist. Noa Lang could be an x-factor for PSV Eindhoven since he is their best playmaker with nine assists.

 

Key returns for Juventus

Head coach Thiago Motta may make changes this Wednesday, as Manuel Locatelli, Kenan Yildiz, and Andrea Cambiaso are available for selection this week. The trio came off the bench in the team’s 1-0 win over Inter Milan. Meanwhile, Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, and Arek Milik remain long-term absentees. Pierre Kalulu and Douglas Luiz are doubtful against PSV Eindhoven.

Despite these changes, Thiago Motta will likely stick with Randal Kolo Muani as his main striker up front, with Dusan Vlahovic seemingly out of favour. The Frenchman has scored five goals in as many games since joining on loan from PSG, becoming the first player to net five in his first three Serie A appearances this century.

If Juventus take care of business against PSV Eindhoven, there’s a chance they’ll meet Inter Milan again in the Champions League Round of 16.

 

History

Last week, Juventus won 2-1 in the first leg against PSV Eindhoven at the Allianz Stadium. Weston McKennie and Samuel Mbangula scored for the Bianconeri, while Ivan Perisic scored for the reigning Dutch champs.

Juventus have progressed from their last 20 European Cup/Champions League knockout stage ties when winning the first leg, including each of the last 11 since the 1992 rebrand. Their last defeat was against Rangers in 1978-79 (1-0 at home and 0-2 away).

PSV Eindhoven have progressed from three of their 11 European Cup/Champions League knockout stage ties when losing the first leg. They last did it against FCSB in 1989-90. Peter Bosz is winless in Champions League knockout stage matches (D1, L2).

 

Betting Tip

The Champions League 2025 odds expect a tight battle between PSV Eindhoven and Juventus. Because they will play at home, PSV Eindhoven have a slight advantage at 2.33, while Juventus are at 2.70 in the 1X2 market. PSV Eindhoven’s undefeated streak at home may remain intact, but Juventus will likely get the last laugh at the final whistle, hence our recommended bet.

Expect the hosts to be aggressive in the final third, as they’re built to create Champions League 2025 highlights. However, the Bianconeri are in fine form, and they are also dangerous on the counter. SBOTOP bettors and football fans can also go for options like Under 3.00 at 1.75, Under 2.50 at 2.23, and even Total Goal 2-3 at 2.04. Meanwhile, a Correct Score of 2-1 in favour of the visitors – the result of the first leg – is pegged at 10.00.

   

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