In one of the more intriguing matches of gameweek one in the Europa League, PSV Eindhoven host Sporting Lisbon at the Philips Stadion on Thursday evening. The two teams are favourites to make it out Group D to the knockout stages.
PSV have made a good start to their Eredivisie campaign, winning four of their five games in the Dutch top-flight this season. Only Champions League semi-finalists Ajax are above the home team in the Eredivisie.
The home side will be looking to take their league form into European competition this season. The Dutch side has already suffered elimination from the Champions League at the second qualifying round.
PSV had to beat Haugesund and Apollon in the qualifying rounds of this competition too. They have a good recent record in the Europa League, winning three of their last four matches, mainly due to the home sides superior quality to the opposition they have faced previously this season.
Prior to the victories in this season’s qualifiers, PSV had failed to win in six matches in this competition, having suffered five straight defeats in the process.
Even their usually strong home record is poor in recent Europa League campaigns, as they have won just once in their last six home matches in the competition.
Sporting have a mixed recent record in the Europa League but made it to the last 32 of competition. However, the Portuguese team’s recent record in Europe’s secondary competition is the definition of inconsistent, as they have won two, drawn and lost two of their last six matches.
Sporting have at least been difficult to beat on their travels in the Europa League, suffering just one defeat over 90 minutes in their last seven away matches.
Forebet predicts that PSV will record a victory in a clash that will produce over 2.5 goals.