PSV Eindhoven welcome Spanish side Granada to the Philips Stadion on Thursday as the Europa League group stages get underway. Kick-off is at 5.55pm.
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Roger Schmidt’s revolution in Eindhoven has got off to a good start with PSV currently sitting top of the Eredivisie after starting the campaign unbeaten.
At the weekend, Mario Gotze made his debut as PEC Zwolle were swept aside and now the club can turn their focus to Europe.
PSV have been placed in a group with Greek side PAOK, Cypriots Omonoia FC, and Thursday’s opponents Granada.
The Spanish side reached the Europa League after finishing seventh in La Liga last season. This is their first European campaign, and they have already got past Teuta, Locomotiv Tbilisi, and Malmo to reach the group stages.
Coached by Diego Martinez, Granada have started their league campaign in good form and they currently sit sixth with three wins out of five games.
Team News
Cody Gakpo and Pablo Rosario will miss the game after testing positive for coronavirus. Marco van Ginkel, Erick Gutierrez, and Maxi Romero are all long-term injury absentee’s.
Eran Zahavi and Jordan Teze are back in training after their positive coronavirus tests, but are doubts for the game.
Schmidt has to decide between Mohamed Ihattaren or Noni Madueke to partner Malen up front, while Jorrit Hendrix or Albert Fein will come into the midfield.
Possible PSV line-up: Mvogo, Dumfries, Max, Boscagli, Baumgartl, Sangare, Hendrix, Mauro Junior, Gotze, Ihattaren, Malen
Granada were dealt a big blow ahead of the game with key striker Roberto Soldado ruled out after a positive coronavirus test. Ramon Azeez and Neyder Lozano are also out injured.
Possible Granada line-up: Rui Silva, Foulquier, Sanchez, Duarte, Neva, Herrera, Kenedy, Milla, Montoro, Puertas, Molina
Odds
PSV 1/1 Draw 5/2 Granada 11/4
What to expect from the game
There is real excitement around PSV Eindhoven this season due to their summer signings and the squad is packed full of talent.
The Eredivisie title is the aim but the Europa League is also a competition the club feels it can go far in. If they want to do that then they need to be winning against sides like Granada.
The Spanish side are not to be taken lightly and they have had a good start to the campaign. Granada will be organised defensively and tough to beat.
PSV will want to attack the Spaniards from the start and can hopefully find a way through early to lead to a comfortable victory.
The front two of Malen and Gakpo have started the season in great form and will be confident of finding goals on Thursday.
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