PSV Eindhoven vs Sevilla

PSV Eindhoven and Sevilla are set to square off at the Philips Stadium in a must-win Champions League Group B showdown.

PSV Eindhoven’s return to Europe’s top table for the first time since 2016/17 didn’t go according to plan as last season’s Premier League runners-up Arsenal thrashed them 4-0 in their Group B opener. Peter Bosz’s men have bounced back with three consecutive Eredivisie victories by an aggregate score of 10-1, maintaining their 100% league start (W7) and bolstering their spirits ahead of this clash. However, the ‘Peasants’ must defy their dreadful historic record against Spanish clubs in European football (W6, D13, L17) to post their first victory in the Champions League proper since December 2015. Since beating CSKA Moscow almost eight years ago, the Dutch heavyweights have gone unbeaten in seven straight outings in the competition (D3, L4) to maintain their unbeaten run at the Philips Stadium that stretches back to November 2022.

On the other hand, Sergio Ramos’ unfortunate own goal saw Sevilla succumb to a stomach-wrenching 1-0 defeat at bitter La Liga rivals Barcelona last weekend, relinquishing a four-game unbeaten streak across all competitions (W2, D2). Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side opened their Champions League journey with a 1-1 home draw against Lens, yet the abovementioned result in Catalonia forms part of Sevilla’s five-game winless run on the road (D2, L3). It means the Europa League specialists face an uphill task to get into the win column, which could lead to a third consecutive Champions League group-stage exit. ‘Los Rojiblancos’ have never faced Dutch opposition in Europe’s top-tier competition, though their overall continental experience against Eredivisie clubs reads indifferently (W2, L3). They’re unlikely to improve it unless they can find a cure for their scoring woes on the road, having drawn a blank on their last two travels (D1, L1).