Bayer Leverkusen is hosting PSV Eindhoven for their match in the 2nd round of the League Phase of the Champions League at the BayArena.
Facts
- Their only duels took place back in 1994 for the UEFA Cup. Bayern won 5-4 at home, while the game in Eindhoven was a goalless draw.
- Four of Bayer’s last five in the competition saw 2-3 goals.
- Six of Leverkusen’s last eight in the Champions League ended with BTTS: No.
- BTTS and over 2.5 goals in Eindhoven’s last seven in the Champions League.
- Eindhoven’s last three in the competition saw at least two goals in each first half.
Betting Tip: Bayer Leverkusen - PSV Eindhoven
Neither team has started the League Phase in a positive fashion. Bayer’s away draw was not catastrophic, but they need to take advantage of their home crowd to reach the knockout stages.
Eindhoven, on the other hand, is desperate for a victory that will make up for the surprise loss in the opener. Still, the game is closer than the odds suggest, and we are tempted to look towards PSV for value. PSV to win or draw is tempting, but we will back BTTS.
- Recommendation: ΒΤΤS: Yes
- Odds: 1.60 (at the time of writing)
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen managed to survive a trip to Denmark, securing a draw away at Copenhagen (2-2). Leverkusen’s start to the game left a lot to be desired, and they went down by a goal in the 9th minute.
The goal moved Copenhagen deep, and Leverkusen took advantage, slowly gaining the initiative. It did not work out in the first half, as the team failed to create chances despite keeping most of the ball.
The second half was a different story, as Leverkusen took more risks and ramped up the pressure, finding an equaliser with Grimaldo in the 82nd minute.
The game nearly went out of hand again, as Bayer Leverkusen conceded yet again, and it took a Copenhagen own goal in the first minute of stoppage time for the Germans to escape with a single point from this one.
Danish manager Hjulmand took over at the start of this month and is still trying to instil his philosophy into his players.
PSV Eindhoven
It was a nightmare start to their League Phase run for PSV Eindhoven. They thoroughly failed to justify their place as the odds favourites against Union Saint-Gilloise, despite playing at home, and they suffered a 1-3 loss.
They conceded a penalty in the 9th minute, and the Belgians took the lead. That goal forced the Dutch to come further up the field, and it was all downhill from there on.
They conceded a second goal in the 39th minute and a third in the 81st, failing to do anything more than score a consolation in the 90th minute of the game with Van Bommel.
Nothing changed after that, and, as expected, everyone around the club is disappointed with such a start. The team needs to secure a challenging win that will put them back on track.
