The Matchday 8 clash in the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between PSV (Netherlands) and Liverpool (England) will take place on January 29 at the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven. PSV vs. Liverpool: prediction, betting odds, statistics.
PSV
The Dutch side played their last round away, where they secured a 3-2 victory against Crvena Zvezda. This was their first away win and third overall in the group stage. Previously, the club also defeated Girona (4-0) and Shakhtar Donetsk (3-2). With 11 points, Peter Bosz's team is positioned at 19th place. To advance to the tournament playoffs, PSV only needs to avoid defeat in the final round.
Defender Ryan Flamingo will miss the match due to suspension. Defenders Sergiño Dest and Adamo Nagalo, forwards Fode Fofana and Kouhaib Drioch, and midfielder Malik Tillman are sidelined due to injuries.
- Both teams scored in 8 of PSV's last 11 Champions League encounters.
- PSV has not lost in 11 of their last 14 matches in this European competition (5 wins and 6 draws).
- In 12 of the Dutch side's previous games in this tournament, one team led with a clean sheet at halftime.
Liverpool
The English side was the first to secure not only progression to the next round but also a spot in the Champions League Round of 16. In the previous tournament match, Liverpool defeated Lille at home (2-1), extending their winning streak in this European competition to seven matches. Arne Slot's team is the only one that has not dropped a single point in the group stage. Notably, the club has conceded only two goals, with only Inter having a better defense in the main round, conceding just once.
Defender Joseph Gomez, midfielder Curtis Jones, and forward Diogo Jota will miss the match due to injuries. The following players are also not included in the squad: goalkeeper Alisson Becker, defenders Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, midfielders Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and forwards Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz.
- The club has kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 6 games in European competitions.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 6 of Liverpool's last 8 matches in this tournament.
- The English side has not drawn in their last 15 away games in the Champions League (12 wins and 3 losses).
Predicted lineups for PSV vs. Liverpool
PSV (4-3-3): Walter Benitez – Richard Ledezma, Rick Karsdorp, Olivier Boscagli, Mauro Junior – Jerdy Schouten, Guus Til, Ismael Saibari – Johan Bakayoko, Luuk de Jong, Noa Lang.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Caoimhin Kelleher – Kostas Tsimikas, Andrew Robertson, Conor Bradley, Amara Nallo – Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo – Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, Trent Kone-Doherty – Darwin Nunez.
Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 37;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.1;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 22%.
PSV vs. Liverpool: Match Prediction
Arne Slot's side has no tournament motivation in the final round of the group stage. The team cannot drop below second place, so the visitors have no need to play with full commitment, nor is there any reason to field their main squad. Liverpool will prioritize preparing for their next Premier League match against Bournemouth. This assumption was confirmed a day before the match when it was revealed that the English side traveled without most of their key players.
For PSV, it is important to perform well in this match. Playing for a draw, which would suffice for the hosts, is risky, as they could still lose to the English side. Therefore, I believe the Dutch team will try to capitalize on the opponent's lack of motivation and start attacking from the first minutes. Moreover, the Eindhoven club is quite strong at home, where they have not lost in nine consecutive Champions League matches (5 wins and 4 draws). Additionally, PSV boasts a 37-match unbeaten streak at home in the Eredivisie.
My prediction – PSV to win or draw
