PSV Eindhoven will look to book their place in the Europa League group stage when they face Rosenborg in Norway on Thursday. Kick-off is 6pm.
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Last week, PSV booked their place in the playoff round with a comfortable 5-1 win in Slovenia against NS Mura.
Standing between Roger Schmidt’s side and the group stages is Norwegian side Rosenborg, who saw off Alanyaspor 1-0 to set up the meeting with PSV.
At the weekend, PSV came under criticism after they were held to a lacklustre 1-1 draw against Heracles Almelo. It was the club’s first dropped points of the campaign so far, and they will look to bounce back against Rosenborg.
However, that will be no easy task with the Norwegian side unbeaten in their last ten games. They currently sit second in their league, and won 2-1 at the weekend against Aalesund.
Team News
PSV Eindhoven could hand a debut to new striker Eran Zahavi, but Ibrahim Sangare is not in the squad. Eric Gutierrez is out injured.
Schmidt has tinkered with his line-up on several occasions so far this season but it is very likely that Donyell Malen and Ryan Thomas will start, having been on the bench for Sunday’s draw with Heracles.
Possible PSV line-up: Mvogo, Dumfries, Max, Teze, Boscagli, Rosario, Thomas, Junior, Bruma, Gakpo, Malen
Rosenborg will be without the suspended Anders Konradsen, who saw red in the previous round. The club have just signed former AZ Alkmaar midfielder Markus Henriksen and he could feature against PSV.
Possible Rosenborg line-up: Hansen, Reginiussen, Eyjolfsson, Hedenstad, Konate, Skjelbred, Henriksen, Zachariassen, Islamovic, Adegbenro, Holse
Odds
Rosenborg 3/1 Draw 14/5 PSV 7/10
Can PSV book their place in the group stages?
PSV go into the match as big favourites with the bookmakers, but Rosenborg is a tough task for Schmidt’s side, especially with the Norwegian side in good form.
PSV were awful at the weekend against Heracles, who knew exactly how to shut down their threat, and they will have to improve a lot if they are to come away with a win from Norway.
Starting with Malen in the line-up will offer much more threat against a tight Rosenborg defence, and Schmidt has the option now of bringing in Zahavi, either from the start or the bench. Rosenborg will look to hurt PSV on the counter, and from set-pieces so it’s important that the backline remains switched on throughout the game.
It is a 50-50 tie in Norway on Thursday but would be a massive boost for PSV and the Netherlands coefficient if they can make it through.
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