PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal predictions: First-leg foray may not go Gunners’ way
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- PSV Eindhoven have lost only one of their last 17 home Champions League games
- Arsenal have won only three of their last 10 away games in the competition
- Recommended Bet: Double Chance - PSV Eindhoven or Draw
PSV Eindhoven will attempt to win a Champions League round-of-16 tie for the first time in 18 seasons when they host Arsenal in Tuesday’s first leg.
Peter Bosz’s side were 4-3 aggregate winners against Juventus in this season's knockout phase play-offs after turning the tie on its head at Philips Stadion last month.
But the Dutch champions come into the clash after suffering back-to-back cup and league defeats to Go Ahead Eagles where they were a shadow of the team that took down the Turin giants.
Arsenal had a free weekend to get their preparations in order and will try to replicate the performances that saw them win on their last two away trips in the League phase.
Team news
PSV have announced that first-choice left-back Mauro Junior, who has missed the last two games, is dealing with a minor injury.
On-loan Manchester United defender Tryell Malacia stands by to start in place of him if he cannot make the line-up on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, striker Ricardo Pepi is unlikely to play again this season and midfielder Malik Tillman remains out after suffering a serious ankle injury in a 5-4 Dutch Cup win against Excelsior in January.
Bosz’s line-up could look a lot like the one that conquered Juventus with Joey Veerman returning in midfield and Ivan Perisic replacing Johann Bakayoko on the right flank.
As for the Gunners, they will still be without the services of five key players through injury in Eindhoven.
Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are expected to return from their respective hamstring injuries at the start of April but the timescales for Kai Havertz (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are unknown.
Arsenal have no players suspended for this game with Myles Lewis-Skelly available after serving a domestic ban, but Raheem Sterling will miss the second leg if he is booked.
The stats
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PSV Eindhoven have lost only one of their last 17 home Champions League matches (including qualifying round games).
The Dutch champions have already played English opponents in Eindhoven this season, twice coming from behind to beat Liverpool 3-2 on Matchday 8.
A 2-0 home win against Arsenal in 2022 is PSV's only other victory in their last 10 games against English clubs (D4 L4).
Arsenal, meanwhile, have won back-to-back Champions League away games to end a dismal run of only one win in eight road trips in the competition (five defeats, two draws).
That 2022 defeat in Eindhoven is the Gunners’ only loss in their last nine against Dutch clubs (W5 D3).
But they have not won in the Netherlands since a 2-0 victory at FC Twente in 2008/09 — drawing two and losing one of their subsequent three trips to the country.
Prediction
PSV’s domestic form has been poor since the winter break, but they can usually be counted on to raise their game in this competition.
Bosz’s side dominated Juventus in every department when they hosted the Turin giants in the second leg of their knockout round play-off and any repeat of that display should ensure they remain alive in the tie.
Arsenal lack the weapons in attack to go into this game at full throttle and, having drawn 1-1 and lost 2-0 on their last two trips to Philips Stadion, are likely to pay the hosts plenty of respect.
This season, the Gunners have won only one away game against a team currently in the top half of the Premier League — against Aston Villa in August — so their prospects of ending PSV’s 11-game home unbeaten run in the Champions League do not look great.
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