PSV Eindhoven vs Trabzonspor
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Today’s secondary featured game is the UEFA Europa League game in Netherlands between PSV Eindhoven and Trabzonspor. With a 1-2 win leading them into this game from the first leg in Turkey, you’d really have to favour PSV to progress here.
However, I doubt it will be as clear a victory as the bookies seem to think it will be. There’s no denying that PSV are the better of these two sides, of course. However, I’ve seldom seen a PSV side so calamitous at the back and that was visible in the first leg with Trabzonspor guilty of spurning a few chances themselves. Don’t get me wrong – PSV deserved their win and could have scored a load themselves with a shade more composure but without a solid defence it’s hard to consider PSV as such heavy favourites here. I watched PSV’s game at the Euroborg at weekend where they took on Groningen and were humbled 3-0. The scoreline was perhaps a shade flattering on the hosts and the undeserved red card for Manolev certainly didn’t help PSV’s plight. However, it was horrendous defending that ruined the game for them with no strength at the back. Hell, Suk even scored from close to the half-way line in that game due to a lack of communication at the back. I lost count of the number of times that goalkeeper Isaksson and his back four fell out and lost patience with one another during that game and it’s not a rare sight for PSV, either. So, yeah – they’re got a devastating attack but a crippling defence, which makes me a little edgy with PSV handicaps.
However, PSV can and will score goals in most games this season and I don’t think that this one will be an exception. Trabzonspor have to attack to stand a chance here and I don’t think they’re good enough at the back to keep PSV out – they certainly weren’t in the first leg. They’ve got their fair share of attacking talent too, however, with Burak Yilmaz having his best ever season. Altintop, Henrique, Alanzinho – they’re all good attacking players and I think they’ll score against a dodgy PSV defence.
However, again, I have to favour PSV here – their firepower is just outstanding. Their one negative factor may be the youthful average age of their attackers but they should still have too much for their Turkish opponents. I can’t advise against PSV handicaps strenously enough here because of my fear that PSV will fuck it up but over 2.5 goals looks a bit of a steal at 4/5, especially if PSV do turn it on!
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Thursday’s Picks
My tips:
Schalke 04 vs Viktoria Plzen – both sides to score at 11/10.
I can’t accept Schalke being as short as they are for this game – I just don’t rate this side very highly despite them possessing some good players. They were outplayed by their Czech opponents in the first leg, in my view, but managed to secure a potentially invaluable 1-1 draw. However, this tie is far from over with Viktoria Plzen showing no fear against any side, which includes their trips to the Nou Camp and San Siro earlier this season in the UEFA Champions League. Why should they be afraid? They’ve played superbly in Europe this season and have already far exceeded expectations so they’ve nothing to lose and everything to gain in Germany today. Schalke do have a better calibre of players but for me, Plzen play better football. Both of these two sides claimed high-scoring wins at weekend although quite how Plzen won at Teplice I’m not sure and quite how Schalke didn’t concede against Wolfsburg I don’t know with both of the afore-mentioned sides playing badly at the back. Plzen are a good attacking side with Kolar in their ranks, especially with Petrzela returning. Horvath misses out but if his display against Teplice was anything to go by then he won’t be missed much here. Plzen are still a bit dubious at the back but don’t underestimate this side – they can, have, and generally will score against all their opponents; that’s just how they play. However, Schalke can be lethal on counter-attacks as Wolfsburg found out at weekend and thus I expect goals here with the Czech visitors needing a result. Wolfsburg should have scored at least twice in their game with Schalke; I don’t expect Plzen to waste their chances though. Enter the 1×2 market at your own peril but for me, taking both sides to score looks a bit of a bargain at 11/10.
Verdict: Both sides to score at 11/10.
As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!
International Friendlies:
Saudi Arabia vs New Zealand (5) 2-1
Oman vs India (7) 2-0
Tanzania vs DR Congo (5) 1-1
Iran vs Jordan (7) 2-1
Copa Libertadores:
Olimpia Asuncion vs Atletico Lanus (5) 1-0
The Strongest vs Juan Aurich (7) 2-1
Universidad Catolica vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (4) 1-1
UEFA Europa League:
Athletic Club de Bilbao vs Lokomotiv Moscow (7) over 2.5 goals
Valencia CF vs Stoke City (6) 2-1
Twente Enschede vs Steaua Bucharest (8) over 2.5 goals
Standard de Liege vs Wisla Krakow (6) 1-0
PAOK Salonika vs Udinese (5) 1-0, at least one red card in this game
PSV Eindhoven vs Trabzonspor (7) over 2.5 goals
Club Brugge vs Hannover 96 (5) 1-1
Manchester United vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam (8) 2-0
Metalist Kharkiv vs Salzburg (4) 1-1
Olympiakos Piraeus vs Rubin Kazan’ (6) 1-0
Anderlecht vs AZ Alkmaar (5) 1-1
Atletico Madrid vs Lazio (7) 2-0
Schalke 04 vs Viktoria Plzen (5) over 2.5 goals
Besiktas JK vs Sporting Braga (6) 1-1
Sporting Clube de Lisboa vs Legia Warsaw (6) 2-1
English Championship:
Derby County vs Leicester City (5)
Enjoy your free betting tips!