We have reached the final qualifying stages of the 2019/20 UEFA Europa League. We are now in the playoff round and the winners of this will progress to the group stages.
On Thursday 22nd August we have a wide range of fixtures to enjoy including the one between PSV Eindhoven and Apollon Limassol at the Philips Stadion in Holland.
PSV finished second in the Eredivisie last season and that saw them go into the second round of Champions League qualifying. They had high hopes of reaching the group stages of the Champions League but were drawn against Basel, which was always going to be tough. PSV won the home leg 3-2 but lost the away leg 2-1 to go out on the away goals rule.
Unddd #TimoIstDa ⤵🗣 @MarkvanBommel6 🗣 Baumgartl#PSVAPO #UEL pic.twitter.com/jLqQ2bNFg4— PSV (@PSV) August 21, 2019
Unddd #TimoIstDa ⤵🗣 @MarkvanBommel6 🗣 Baumgartl#PSVAPO #UEL pic.twitter.com/jLqQ2bNFg4
That saw them move to the third qualifying round of the Europa League and PSV met Haugesund of Norway. PSV won the first leg, which was away from home 1-0 and that handed them a strong platform for the second leg on home soil. However, PSV could not break down the opposition and were held to a 0-0 draw, which was good enough to see them go through to this stage of the competition.
Trends show PSV are undefeated in their last five games in all competitions, winning three and drawing two. They have won two of their three home matches this season, one in Champions League qualifying and one in the Eredivisie.
Apollon Limassol finished 3rd in the Championship Round table of the 2018/19 Cypriot First Division. They ended up 12 points adrift of the winners, APOEL and that saw them reach the first qualifying round of the Europa League.
The draw handed them a tie with Kauno Žalgiris of Lithuania and Apollon Limassol won the away leg 2-0 before completing the job with a comprehensive 4-0 victory at home. Moving into the second round and Apollon Limassol were paired with Shamrock Rovers of Ireland. This was always going to be a tougher assignment and the Cypriots lost the away leg 2-1 but won 3-1 at home following extra-time.
The third qualifying round saw a tie against Austria Vienna and Apollon Limassol did well to win the away leg 2-1 before winning the second 3-1 in-front of their own fans to progress to the playoff round.
Trends show Apollon Limassol have won seven of their last eight Europa League games.
Team news and PSV could be without Hirving Lozano who is expected to complete a move to Napoli shortly and he will be a big loss. Gaston Pereiro is out with a shoulder injury while Sam Lammers, Yannick Van Osch and Ryan Thomas are doubtful.
Apollon Limassol have no fresh injury concerns and they are expected to field the same starting XI from the match against Austria Vienna.
This has the makings of a tough assignment for PSV but home advantage should pay dividends in the first leg. Expect to see Apollon Limassol score a goal but ultimately lose the game ahead of an intriguing second leg.