On Thursday evening, Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven head to Cyprus to face Apollon Limassol in the Europa League play-offs second leg. The first leg in the Netherlands finished 3-0 to PSV.
The home side had a decent record in the Europa League until that first-leg defeat by the Dutch team. In fact, the Cypriot team had won six of their last eight games in the competition, while losing just once in 90 minutes.
The home side has also been prolific in recent seasons in the Europa League, scoring at least twice in eight of their last ten outings in Europe’s secondary competition.
Apollon have a decent recent home record in the Europa League, winning six of their last ten games in Europe in 90 minutes and one in extra-time. They also suffered just one defeat in that run of games.
The home side has also been highly prolific at the Tsirion Athlitiko Kentro in this competition, scoring at least two goals in nine of their last ten home games.
We’re coming @APOLLONOFFICIAL 🚀#APOPSV #UEL pic.twitter.com/BoD0YLgKsm— PSV (@PSV) August 28, 2019
We’re coming @APOLLONOFFICIAL 🚀#APOPSV #UEL pic.twitter.com/BoD0YLgKsm
PSV have put themselves in a very good position in the tie with that first-leg victory. Considering Apollon strong home form, the three-goal deficit may be needed for PSV to progress.
The visitors are now unbeaten in three games in the Europa League this season. However, the Dutch side has struggled for victories in this competition, as they have won just two of their last nine matches in this competition dating back to 2014.
PSV have already exited the Champions League this season, so making it through to the group stages of this competition was the bare minimum for Mark van Bommel’s team.
Despite Apollon’s strong recent home form in the Europa League, Forebet predicts that PSV will record a victory in a high-scoring encounter, with the Dutch side cruising through to the group stages.