PSV vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
17 February 1745hrs
Football – Europe – Europa Conference League
Pick PSV to win to nil
Bookmaker Boylesports
Odds: 21/20 odds taken 2000 GMT, Tuesday 15 February
PSV take on Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday with the Eredivisie outfit looking to make home advantage count in the first leg of their knockout round playoff tie.
Table of Contents
PSV Preview – Will PSV live up to their tag of favourites to dispatch Israeli opponents?
It has been a damaging couple of weeks for PSV and their quest to win the Dutch title. Having led the Eredivisie heading into their clash with rivals Ajax at the beginning of the month, the Eindhoven club now find themselves five points behind the current champions and with a big uphill climb to overcome if they are to win a first title since 2018. In addition to the losses against Ajax and AZ in consecutive weeks, PSV are also coming to terms with the news that Roger Schmidt will leave at the end of the season.
That’s not the ideal preparation for this game but they have returned to form with comprehensive wins over NAC Breda and Vitesse and remain one of the favourites to win this competition.
A third place finish in a Europa League group consisting of Real Sociedad, Monaco and Sturm Graz is the reason they find themselves dropping in to this playoff match. PSV missed out on staying in the Europa League following a 3-0 defeat to La Real in the final group game.
One player who will be more content than most with the draw is Israeli veteran Eran Zahavi. The striker spent four seasons with tomorrow’s opponents and was prolific for them during that time, score more than 120 goals in all competitions. He hasn’t played as much recently but did score on Saturday, a first goal since October.
Maccabi Tel Aviv Preview – Can Maccabi continue their recent strong form with as positive result ahead of the second leg?
UEFA will point to the likes of Maccabi Tel Aviv as the reason for creating this third European tournament. The Israeli’s are unlikely to have the ability to compete in the knockout stages of the Champions League or Europa League on a regular basis but this competition is more accessible.
A second place finish in the group stage behind LASK earned them this opportunity. Maccabi ended the group with 11 points from their six matches, losing only one of them.
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They have yet to lose on the road in the Conference League (including qualifiers), a total of six games and managing nine goals in the process. Stipe Perica has been a significant addition to their ranks this season with eight league goals to his name and also scoring twice in the group stages of this competition.
Maccabi come into this game in the best form of their season following a difficult first half of the campaign. It’s now just one defeat in their 15 league games, winning 10 of them, and that has put them back in with a possible chance of the title.
PSV vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Betting Advice
It may be a lot more modest a contest than others taking place this midweek but both clubs know it is a chance to progress further in European competition, particularly the hosts who many feel have a big shout of going all the way.
Zahavi will be desperate to start against the club he enjoyed so much individual and team success with a few years back. His game time has been limited of late due to injury but this looks a good opportunity for him.
Key Facts – PSV vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Betting Tip
- PSV dropped into this competition following a third place finish in the Europa League group stage
- Maccabi are unbeaten in all six of their away games in the UEC this season
- Veteran striker Eran Zahavi will be looking forward to facing his former club with home he scored over a 100 goals
Maccabi have shown how well organised they can be on their travels in Europe so it is not a forgone conclusion for PSV. The hosts do have a lot of options in attack, though, and seem to have recovered from this disappointing defeats earlier in the year. Take them to win to nil in this one, something they have managed in five of their last eight home matches.
Best Betting Odds for PSV vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
