Prediction: Rangers to win 1-0
PSV Eindhoven and Rangers will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers this week. It is the second leg of the Qualifying Round Playoffs and will take place at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven. The match between the Dutch Eredivisie club and the Scottish Premiership outfit will kick off at 8pm UK time on Wednesday. The first leg was held at Ibrox in Glasgow last weekend. It ended in a 2-2 draw.
PSV Eindhoven
PSV Eindhoven are one of the biggest and most historic clubs in the Netherlands, and they regularly play in major European competitions, including the UEFA Champions League. Boeren ended up second in the Eredivisie table last season and booked a spot in the UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round.
Peter Bosz’s side have made a positive start to the new league campaign in the Netherlands. PSV have won both of their Eredivisie games and have picked up six points. The Dutch giants will be encouraged by the result of the first leg in Glasgow. A 2-2 draw at Ibrox is nothing to be ashamed of, and PSV will now consider themselves as favourites to go through to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
PSV, though, will be fully aware of how Rangers beat them at the same stage of the competition last season. Like this season, the first leg at Ibrox ended in a 2-2 draw. Rangers won the second leg 1-0 in the Netherlands. Bosz, though, is not thinking about that, noting that there have been managerial changes at both clubs since then.
The Scotsman quotes Bosz as saying: “I’ve told you already that I wasn’t there last season so for me at all is not an issue. The more and more you guys talk about it, it may become in the heads of the players but for me, it’s a completely different situation.
“PSV have a different coach, some different players and it’s the same with Rangers. For me, it’s important that players learn from the mistakes they make and we made some mistakes last week.
“If we do that better, it will help us a lot for the game that we’re going to play tomorrow. And so for me, it’s not the same situation and it’s not the same game, it’s a completely new game, and it’s not easy but for me it’s nothing to do with last season.”
Team News:
Patrick van Aanholt is back in training with PSV, and there is a very good chance that the defender could start against Rangers. Malik Tillman could start as well. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder spent last season on loan at Rangers. The USA international moved to PSV on loan from Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window.
Rangers
Rangers will be fully aware of the tough task they face against PSV Eindhoven. When the draw was made, PSV were the clear favourites, and the first-leg result in the tie does make the Gers’ work to progress to the UEFA Champions League group stage this season really tough.
The Gers actually took the lead twice against PSV at Ibrox last weekend, but on both occasions, PSV made a comeback. That shows that Rangers were defensively disappointing and that too at home. Michael Beale’s side need to step up their game defensively against PSV in the Netherlands, or else they will not have a chance.
Rangers, though, are in good form at the moment. The Gers are unbeaten in six competitive matches after losing their opening game of the season 1-0 to Kilmarnock away from home in the Scottish Premiership. The Gers also got the better of Servette over two legs in the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Third Round to reach the playoffs.
Beale is confident of getting a result against PSV, and is quoted as saying by BBC Sport: We expect it [to be written off]. The other team needs to be confident in their home stadium and we have a huge test in front of us.
“We know we have to perform better than we did last week if we want to go through, but the opportunity for us is clear. Both teams will have chances and it’s the team that is the most decisive that will go through.
“I think their crowd will be behind them, as our was at Ibrox, but that can do one of two things. I felt that we were a bit emotional at times in the game and it can unnerve you as much as it can be a big help.”
Team News:
Kemar Roofe played well for Rangers against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership last weekend, but the striker is ineligible against PSV. That’s because Rangers manager Michael Beale left out the former Leeds United striker for the UEFA Champions League qualifiers against PSV. Tom Lawrence and Ridvan Yilmaz are ineligible as well. Kieran Dowell is injured and will not play. Winger Rabbi Matondo could be drafted into the Rangers starting lineup.
Key Factors to Consider
- PSV Eindhoven have scored 5 goals in 2 Eredivisie matches this season.
- PSV Eindhoven have conceded 1 goal in 2 Eredivisie matches this season.
- Rangers have scored 6 goals in 3 Scottish Premiership games this campaign.
- Rangers have conceded 1 goal in 3 Scottish Premiership games this campaign.
- Rangers have just 31% of the possession against PSV Eindhoven in the first leg.
Conclusion
PSV Eindhoven do have the better team and are at home. The Dutch giants are the clear favourites. But Rangers do have what it takes to eke out a narrow win and get the job done. The most important thing for Rangers would be to keep it tight at the back for the opening 30 to 45 minutes. If they are able to do that, then the former Scottish Premiership champions could eventually sneak in a goal and win the second leg and the tie.
Prediction: Rangers to win 1-0
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
