PSV Eindhoven and Borussia Dortmund will lock horns in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie on Tuesday evening.
On paper, this promises to be one of the most fiercely contested encounters of all the ties, and both sides appear to be evenly matched.
Although Dortmund tends to be stealthy candidates in Europe’s elite competition, sneaking under the radar at times, they have hit some form in recent weeks, and they are firmly in the top-four picture in the Bundesliga.
PSV have also been formidable over the past couple of weeks, and they are inching ever closer to the Eredivisie title, warming up for this game with a routine 2-0 win at home to Hercules last Friday.
For PSV, this feels like almost uncharted territory, and they will be attempting to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2007.
But what does the first leg have in store for us? I have sifted through the markets and handpicked a couple of betting tips for you to consider.
Home comforts for PSV
It has been a stellar season to date for PSV. They were just one match shy of racking up 18 straight league victories on the trot, and they are into the Round of 16 of the Champions League for the first time since 2015/16.
Indeed, Peter Bosz’s team are unbeaten at home this term, and the Dutch giants have only last three of their last-16 first-leg matches in UEFA’s premier competition (W8 D5).
Dortmund, meanwhile, last faced Dutch opponents in the Champions League in the 2021/22 season when they were thrashed 4-0 away and dismantled 3-1 at home to Ajax.
While Edin Terzic’s team are a tour de force at Signal Iduna Park, they have become more difficult to trust on their travels.
Dortmund’s Champions League Round of 16 record is rather mixed, with eight defeats from 16 games, and this could well be PSV’s night.
For my opening gambit, I’m going to gravitate towards a PSV win. I also think they could net in both halves, and a price of 15/8 has been proffered by William Hill for that particular line.
Luuk de Jong to spark Dortmund’s downfall
Every top club in Europe has a 20+ goal talisman in their ranks that has acted as a conduit for success.
In PSV, Luuk de Jong has been mesmerising, and his 27 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions this term emphasises his importance to the cause.
Having left Barcelona in 2022, Barca’s loss has certainly been PSV’s gain, and De Jong could be the main protagonist in the narrative at the Philips Stadion.
De Jong won’t give Dortmund a moment of peace, and his aerial ability is undeniable.
Anyway, to round things up, I’m leaning towards De Jong to bag a double, and bet365 has a delectable 8/1 price for you to feast on.
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