PSV Eindhoven vs. Arsenal: UCL Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

For the third year in a row, two European powerhouses will square off in a Champions League last-16 match at the Philips Stadion: PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands and Arsenal of the Premier League.

While Mikel Arteta's squad advanced directly to this round by finishing third in the league phase, Juventus' dreams of continental glory were dashed in the elimination round playoffs by their Eredivisie opponents.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

After a frustrating season, Arsenal's greatest chance of finishing it on a high note is likely to be in Europe, barring a spectacular turnaround in the Premier League that would surpass the 1997–98 squad. That squad clinched the English championship despite being 12 points behind Manchester United in February.

The spectacular double by Mikel Merino against Leicester City happened a lifetime ago. Since then, the Gunners have gone scoreless in back-to-back games for the first time in over two years, losing to West Ham United and in a tedious away encounter at Nottingham Forest.

With 13 points separating Liverpool and second-place Arsenal in the Premier League, the latter will soon focus on securing a top-four spot and overcoming the offensive gaps that have plagued them in Europe, where their league-phase performances have inspired optimism.

The Gunners aim to win five consecutive games in a Champions League campaign for the first time since 2005-06 when Barcelona crushed their hearts in the Paris final. Only Liverpool and Barcelona fared better than Arteta's squad in the first stage.

That will be easier said than done with four key forwards out with injuries. Arsenal should attack from the defense on their European tour, as they allowed the fewest goals (0.73 per game) in the 2024–25 UCL.

Although PSV has only one clean sheet in ten Champions League matches this season, Peter Bosz's team battled tooth and nail to defeat Juventus and earn a swift rematch with Arsenal, whose stellar defense stands in sharp contrast.

Thiago Motta's team almost forced overtime in the second match, but defender Ryan Flamingo scored the game-winning goal in extra time to give the Rood-Witten a 4-3 aggregate victory. This allowed them to avenge their 2-1 setback in the first leg of their playoff tie.

But Bosz's side is coming off a pair of shocking losses to Go Ahead Eagles—a 2-1 KNVB Beker loss and a 3-2 Eredivisie setback on Saturday—so PSV's dramatic playoff triumph was not enough to spur an improvement in their domestic fortunes. On Saturday, they hosted Arsenal.

With just one victory in their last six games across all competitions, Ajax has a great opportunity to go eight points clear atop the Eredivisie table. Eindhoven has kept just one clean sheet in their last fourteen games, allowing multiple goals in eleven of those games.

Last year, in the group stage, PSV was thrashed 4-0 by Arsenal in the Emirates. However, they improved their home record against the Gunners to four games with a 1-1 dead-rubber draw in Eindhoven. Their only loss to the London club came in 2002 on their turf.

PSV Eindhoven x Arsenal Team News

Arsenal's injury condition shouldn't alter on Tuesday. Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Gabriel Jesus (ACL), Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Gabriel Martinelli (hamstring), and Kai Havertz (hamstring) are all still on the hard road to recovery.

Nevertheless, the return of Myles Lewis-Skelly from a domestic suspension will certainly bolster the visiting team. The youngster is expected to replace Riccardo Calafiori, who had Arsenal's best opportunity against Forest before being substituted at halftime owing to a red card danger, and the match should go as planned.

Like Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri is a sure bet to start in a Champions League knockout game despite suffering from cramps recently. Nwaneri, who graduated from Hale End in 2007, will join Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden as the only English players to do so before turning 18.

Similarly, PSV's main selection concerns also lie up front, as Malik Tillman (leg), Ricardo Pepi (knee), and teenage winger Esmir Bajraktarevic (unspecified) will not play in Tuesday's first leg. At the same time, left-back Mauro Junior is doubtful due to a bone bruise.

Unlike Arsenal, the hosts responded to their attacking deficiencies by entering the free agent market, signing one-time Gunners striker Lucas Perez. However, the veteran Spaniard is ineligible for the Champions League and will, therefore, not reunite with his old team.

On the other hand, PSV captain and top scorer Luuk de Jong will join an exclusive club of five Dutch strikers—Robin van Persie, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Patrick Kluivert, and Roy Makaay—when he plays in his 50th Champions League game this week.

Our Predictions

Full-time draw @ 3.45 on Sky247.ng

On Tuesday, Arsenal will face PSV, a team that has been leaking goals at an alarming rate and may need a set piece to break through the hosts' defense, no matter how weak their offensive attack is at the moment.

However, Bosz's formidable assault may respond just as fiercely, so a low-scoring draw in the first leg would be ideal for Arsenal ahead of their Emirates reunion.

Elevate your betting experience with SKY247 Nigeria. Join now and discover a thrilling world of sports, live events, and exclusive bonuses. Bet with confidence on your favorite teams and games.