UEFA Champions League: PSV vs. Monaco Preview, Odds, Prediction

PSV Eindhoven will host Monaco in the UEFA Champions League playoffs this Tuesday night. The result from the first game was 1-1, and everything is open right now. We need to remind you that the away goal rule is gone, meaning that both teams are starting from ground zero. The hosts are in very good form, and their recent games are quite efficient. On the other side, Monaco opened the Ligue 1 campaign well, with a win on the road in Strasbourg.

Preview

PSV (+130) smashed Emmen on Saturday night, 4-1. The attackers demonstrated their superb form, packing four goals, and missing a few very good chances to improve their record. Prior to this game, and the one in Monte Carlo, PSV played against Ajax in the Dutch Super Cup.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s boys schooled the champions in their own house, winning 3-5, beating the Lancers in Amsterdam for the second year in a row. Better to say, humiliating them.

PSV was playing well throughout the entire preseason period, and we have to point out their attackers who harassed the rivals’ defenses. Including the friendly games, the former European champions didn’t lose in five straight with four wins and a draw, scoring 17 goals. The previous four were with both teams scoring, by the way.

Monaco (+190) was better than Strasbourg on the road this Saturday. The final result was 1-2, with the guests scoring the first two goals, and eventually saving their skin in the ultimate 10 minutes. Krepin Diatta and Sofiane Diop hit the back of Strasbourg’s net, but their teammates slowed down in the end.

The boys from Monte Carlo play open and aggressive football, and they had 24 shots on goals on Saturday night. We expect them to have the same approach in Eindhoven because simply that is how they play.

Since the start of the preparation period, they played nine games, and seven ended with both teams scoring, while five saw three or more goals. We need to say that only one in the past five didn’t end with three hits.

Latest News

Carlos Vinicius and Noni Madueke are both out for the hosts, while Olivier Boscagli seems to be ruled out as well.

Caio Henrique is out due to COVID-19, while Myron Boadu and Willem Geubbels are questionable to appear.

Head to Head Games

The opening leg in France saw a 1-1 draw. Veerman brought the lead to the guests at the finish of the first half, but Disasi scored 10 minutes before the end to level the result.

The two sides met in last year’s Europa League group stage, and Monaco had more success. They were better in Eindhoven, 1-2, and after that played 0-0 in Monte Carlo.

Prediction

Goals are the main thing here, as we expect to see three of them at least. We are aware that both sides might start the game more conservatively, but as soon as the action begins to roll, be sure that the efficiency will be pretty high. The odds are at -120, which is a solid offer.

Pick: Over 2.5 goals -120