PSV Eindhoven and SK Sturm Graz to combine for over 3.5 goals in UCL third qualifying round

PSV Eindhoven vs Sturm Graz - 08/08/2023

07/08/23 4174

The UEFA Champions League third qualifying round kicks off this week, as the teams fighting for the tournament’s group stage get whittled down further.

PSV Eindhoven will host SK Sturm Graz at the Philipps Stadion on Wednesday night.

The two clubs are in the league path, having qualified via their positions in their respective domestic competitions last season.

Both clubs are starting their Champions League qualifying journey on Wednesday.

Sturm Graz have played two league matches in the Austrian Bundesliga. The team defeated their rivals LASK 2-0 at the weekend.

SK Sturm Graz won their opening two Bundesliga matches and go into Wednesday’s match on a two-game winning streak.

PSV Eindhoven saw plenty of change in the offseason. Head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy left the club and former Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon coach Peter Bosz took over.

The Lightbulbs also saw the exit of last season’s top scorer Xavi Simons, as Paris Saint-Germain triggered a buy-back clause in his contract.

Erick Gutierrez and Max Romero also departed the club. More transfer exits could occur before the transfer window closes.

Bosz won his first trophy of the season over the weekend, defeating Feyenoord 1-0 in the Johan Cruijff Schaal (Dutch Super Cup). New signing Noa Lang scored the game’s only goal.

Lang arrived from Club Brugge to replace Simons on the left side of the attack. The forward has heaps of talent but sometimes it has been his attitude preventing him from progressing.

Bosz will keep with the 4-3-3 formation PSV Eindhoven played under former coach Van Nistelrooy.

Luuk De Jong will play through the middle, with Lang on the left and Johan Bakayoko on the right.

Since last January, PSV have changed their squad, selling top players. It was one of the reasons Van Nistelrooy left. Cody Gakpo, Simons, and Noni Madueke all left.

Sturm Graz dangerman is Szymon Wlodarczyk. The centre-forward joined in the offseason from Gornik Zabrze for €2.20 million.

Wlodarczyk has two Bundesliga goals already. Goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen joined from Brighton on loan and will likely start in goal.

Midfielder Alex Prass is a doubt following a calf injury. He is the only injury issue for the club.

For PSV, there could be some defensive issues. Defenders Armando Obispo, Mauro Junior, and Fredrik Oppegard are all suffering from injuries and could miss the match.

PSV Eindhoven have already won silverware this season and should use the experience to pick up a home win on Tuesday, 3-1, over Sturm Graz.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

UCL

PSV Eindhoven Sturm Graz 08/08/2023 20:30

513118

13-1

3 - 1

2.73

18°

1.44

1.44 4.50 7.00 no no no

FT

4 - 1(3 - 1)

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