MX23RW : Saturday, March 27 13:43:36| >> :120:63755:63755:
Feb 25, 2021 at 8pm UK at Philips Stadium
PSVPSV Eindhoven
2-1
OlympiacosOlympiacos
Zahavi (23', 44')
Max (3'), Malen (84')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Mahgoub (88')
Masouras (51'), Lala (79')

Preview: PSV Eindhoven vs. Olympiacos - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between PSV Eindhoven and Olympiacos, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

PSV Eindhoven head into the second leg of their Europa League last 32 tie with Olympiacos on Thursday evening trailing 4-2 on aggregate.

Despite the bonus of scoring two away goals in the first half, a late fourth for the Greek outfit has given the visitors an advantage ahead of the reverse fixture.


Match preview

PSV Eindhoven coach Roger Schmidt in the Europa League on February 18, 2021© Reuters

With PSV only regarded as outsiders for the Eredivisie title, Roger Schmidt is under pressure to have an extended run in this competition.

However, the 4-2 defeat in Greece has left PSV with an uphill task on Thursday, particularly with their recent defensive performances leaving a lot to be desired.

Nine goals have been conceded in four matches, one of which came at the weekend when PSV had to come from behind to claim a 3-1 victory over Vitesse.

Schmidt's side have now won two of their last six matches, a run which will inevitably need to improve if the German is to keep his job in the dugout.

The biggest plus in recent weeks has been the form of Donyell Malen, who has provided two goals or assists in three of his last five appearances.

As far as Olympiacos are concerned, their eye-catching triumph last week has come between disappointing results against Panathinaikos and Aris.

Failure to win either of those fixtures will act as a reminder to Pedro Martins that his side is susceptible to complacency, something which must be avoided in the Netherlands.

Giorgos Masouras's late goal in the first leg has given Olympiacos control of this tie, but they are without a clean sheet in four games in all competitions.

While the return of Ruben Semedo from suspension could prove key, there is a feeling that Martins's side will need to get on the scoresheet to maintain their advantage in this tie.

PSV Eindhoven Europa League form: WLWWWL
PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions): LWLDLW

Olympiacos Europa League form: W
Olympiacos form (all competitions): WWWLWD


Team News

Olympiacos coach Pedro Martins in the Europa League on February 18, 2021© Reuters

Martins will hand a recall to Semedo in a move which will likely see Sokratis Papastathopoulos drop down to the substitutes' bench.

Masouras could get the nod over Mathieu Valbuena after coming off the bench to score a decisive goal last week.

Jordan Teze, Mario Gotze and Malen are all in line to feature for PSV after dropping down to the bench at the weekend.

Mohamed Ihattaren could return to the squad after missing the last two fixtures due to illness, but Ibrahim Sangare is sidelined through suspension.

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Mvogo; Dumfries, Teze, Boscagli, Max; Rosario, Thomas; Gotze, Thomas; Zahavi, Malen

Olympiacos possible starting lineup:
Sa; Lala, Semedo, Ba, Reabciuk; M'Vila, Bouchalakis; Masouras, Camara, Bruma; El-Arabi


SM words green background

We say: PSV Eindhoven 3-1 Olympiacos

There have been goals aplenty in PSV's recent matches, something which we expect to continue on Thursday night. While we do not anticipate the Dutch outfit keeping a clean sheet, Schmidt's side have the firepower to make the difference at the other end of the pitch, potentially helping the club through to the next stage by the closest of margins.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data


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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Ajax26213283196466
2PSV EindhovenPSV27167459302955
3AZ AlkmaarAZ27167463382555
4Vitesse27164744271752
5Feyenoord27139554282648
6Groningen2712783431343
7FC UtrechtUtrecht26101064033740
8FC Twente2791084137437
9Heracles27106113140-936
10Heerenveen2781093638-234
11Fortuna SittardSittard27104133947-834
12Sparta RotterdamSparta2787123742-531
13PEC Zwolle27611103543-829
14RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk2768132640-1426
15Willem II2757153156-2522
16VVV-VenloVVV-Venlo2764173972-3322
17EmmenEmmen2729162456-3215
18ADO Den HaagADO Den Haag2729162160-3915

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