The next set of fixtures take place for the Champions League round of 16 knockout stage this week as PSV Eindhoven host Borussia Dortmund in the first leg on Tuesday night.
This will be PSV’s first Champions League knockout match in eight seasons, and they will be full of confidence as they are currently enjoying a wonderful season domestically. They sit in first place in the Eredivisie and are ten points clear of second placed Feyenoord. They are also yet to lose a game in the league this season.
Peter Bosz’s side finished second in their group behind Arsenal with nine points after two wins, three draws and a loss.
This is their second knockout appearance in 17 years, and they will now be looking to reach the quarter finals for the first time since 2007.
Borussia Dortmund have not quite had a straightforward season in the Bundesliga as they currently sit in fourth place and are 17 points behind first place.
However, they have been impressive in Europe and managed to finish top of the ‘group of death’ in the Champions league which included tough opponents, Paris Saint Germain, AC Milan and Newcastle United.
They collected eleven points and secured wins against AC Milan and Newcastle United twice.
Dortmund have reached the last 16 for the past five out of six seasons however three of these have resulted in them being knocked out of the competition.
Edin Terzic’s side have picked up form recently after having a rocky start to the season. They are now unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions.
Team News
PSV have added Richard Ledezma, Jaden De Guzman and CJ Egan-Riley to their squad since qualifying out of the group.
Armel Bella-Kotchap recently recovered from a shoulder injury, but it is unlikely that he will start the match as it may be too soon for him to be deemed fully fit.
Guus Till is also a doubt.
Borussia Dortmund have added the registrations of Jadon Sancho, Ian Maatsen and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens to their squad since qualification.
Ramy Bensebaini, Karim Adeyemi and Felix Nmecha are set to miss out.
Julien Duranville in in the squad for the first time in six months.
GGFN | Matthew Gritton
