Sevilla vs PSV Eindhoven Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 14/02/2023, 06:22  by Kennedy Kechula in Europa League Predictions

Dutch side PSV will travel to Spain for the first match of their Europa League last 16 playoff with Sevilla scheduled for Thursday at the latter’s Roman Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. It will be the first time that the two teams will be meeting in European competitions. Sevilla finished third in their Champions League group with five points while PSV managed 13 points to finish second in their Europa League group. Hosts Sevilla have been blowing hot and cold in recent weeks and come into this game having won three and lost two of their last five matches. After losing 3-0 away to Barcelona, Jorge Sampaoli’s men recovered with a 2-0 home victory over Mallorca last time out. This lack of consistency has hindered them all season and now looks like their only way back to Europe next season is by winning the Europa League. They are currently in 12th place in the La Liga standings with 24 points which is nine points away from sixth place – the Europa Conference League spot. Sevilla have kept two clean sheets in their last three matches and have scored a combined five goals. As record Europa League champions, the Spanish side will expect to progress here despite their struggles. They have only lost once at home in the knockout rounds of this competition, a run that goes all the way back to 2016.

While Sevilla are having their struggles in La Liga, PSV are in the midst of a five-team battle for the Dutch domestic title. Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s charges are fourth in the Eredivisie standings with 42 points, four off top spot. They have won the league’s joint most matches (12) and are the second most potent team with 55 goals from 21 matches played. Their attacking prowess was also laid bare for all to see in the Europa League where they finished the group stage with 15 goals, the most in the stage. They have also been strong defensively, conceding just four goals in six matches in the competition. The Dutch giants come into this game having won three of their last four matches. In the most recent game, they hammered relegation-threatened Groningen 6-0 with goals scored by six different players. While away in the Europa League this season, PSV have won two and lost one of their three matches and failed to score in one of those matches. Heading to this game they will miss stars from the group stage including Cody Gakpo and Noni Madueke who have since left.