PSV Eindhoven are out for revenge as they take on PAOK Salonika in the Europa League. Kick-off is at 8pm.

PSV Eindhoven took the lead in Greece against PAOK two weeks ago, but then fell apart in the second half and were on the end of a 4-1 loss.

That defeat leaves PSV Eindhoven’s Europa League campaign in big trouble as they sit on three points and four behind leaders Granada. On Thursday, PSV must defeat PAOK to get their campaign back on track, otherwise, the club are staring at an early exit from Europe.

Roger Schmidt’s side doesn’t go into the game in great form as they were held to a poor 1-1 draw by FC Twente at the weekend. It leaves PSV sitting fourth in the Eredivisie and four points behind Ajax.

PAOK have won both their games since the 4-1 win over PSV Eindhoven and they sit third in the Greek league.

Team News

PSV will be without Mario Gotze for the clash with PAOK as the German midfielder is not fit enough. Erick Gutierrez returned to training this week, but is not yet ready for match action.

Cody Gakpo is back for PSV after recovering from Coronavirus.

Possible PSV line-up: Mvogo, Dumfries, Max, Teze, Boscagli, Rosario, Sangare, Mauro Junior, Gakpo, Malen, Zahavi

Left-back Dimitrios Giannoulis is the only injury concern for PAOK going into the game. Dutchman Diego Biseswar could feature.

Possible PAOK line-up: Zivkovic, Rodrigo, Lyratzis, Ingason, Crespo, Schwab, Augusto, Murg, Zivkovic, Tzolis, Swiderski

Odds

PSV 3/4 Draw 14/5 PAOK 10/3

Must win game for PSV

PSV were awful in the second half against PAOK two weeks ago and completely deserved to be on the end of the 4-1 defeat.

Defensively, PSV were totally exposed on the counter-attack in Greece and they need to be in much better form if they are to get a better result on Thursday.

PAOK are in good form and have players to hurt PSV, but Schmidt’s side are the favourites at home and have Cody Gakpo back from coronavirus, which is a big boost.

It is do or die for PSV now and the pressure will be increasing on Schmidt if they fail to win on Thursday. The club are falling behind Ajax in the league and can’t afford to drop out of Europe in the group stage too.

A win would put PSV back into a good position going into the games against APOEL at home and Granada in Spain.




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