PSV Eindhoven’s Champions League hopes hang in the balance when they host Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
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The two sides met in Munich two weeks ago with Bayern proving far too strong in a 4-1 victory which left PSV bottom of the group at the halfway point. PSV’s chances of reaching the knockout round are slim and they could be all over if Bayern come away from Eindhoven with a win on Tuesday.
Coach Phillip Cocu is hopeful his side can get a positive result, “Odds are we will have to fight for a third-place Group D finish with FC Rostov. We need a good result to keep our hopes of Champions League success alive. But we also need a result to boost our chances of booking a spot in the Europa League.”
Bayern on the other hand just need a win to book their place in the knockout round and they looked in imperious form at the weekend when they beat Augsburg 3-1.
Former PSV winger Arjen Robben ended that game with two assists and a goal, and he is relishing his return to Eindhoven, “This is the first time since I played abroad, that I go to the Netherlands for a match in the Champions League. And then draw against my old club, I am really looking forward to it.”
Team News
PSV have an injury crisis heading into the game with Jeroen Zoet, Jorrit Hendrix, Siem de Jong, Luciano Narsingh and Jurgen Locadia all ruled out of the game. Steven Bergwijn is also struggling with an injury suffered in the 2-0 win over Vitesse at the weekend. Cocu started with a 4-3-3 in the away tie against Bayern, but due to the injuries is likely to switch back to a 5-3-2.
Possible PSV line-up: Pasveer, Brenet, Willems, Schwaab, Moreno, Isimat, Propper, Guardado, Ramselaar, Pereiro, De Jong
Bayern Munich will be without Franck Ribery and Javi Martinez for the tie but otherwise have a fully fit squad to choose from.
Possible Bayern line-up: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Hummels, Alaba; Thiago, Alonso, Vidal; Robben, Müller, Lewandowski
Odds
PSV 7/1 Draw 17/4 Bayern Munich 2/5
Can PSV keep their hopes alive?
PSV’s chances of repeating last season’s feat of reaching the knockout round looked slim when they were defeated at home by Atletico in matchday one and they realistically are battling for third spot with Rostov. Cocu’s injury hit side look short on options and their shaky defence will struggle to contain the Bavarians attack that looks unstoppable with Robben and Robert Lewandowski in top form. The atmosphere in the stadium should be great and PSV will be up for the task, but the smart money would be on a German victory.
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