PSV Eindhoven vs Midtjylland

The UEFA Champions League third-round qualifying tie at the Philips Stadion pits PSV Eindhoven versus Midtjylland in the first leg of an exciting two-legged showdown.

PSV booked their place in the third qualifying round with an overwhelming 7-2 aggregate triumph over Galatasaray that included a stunning 5-1 first-leg home win. Seeking their first Champions League group stage appearances since 2018/19, the 2020/21 Eredivisie runners-up head into proceedings as warm favorites to reach the play-offs. Though this will be their first-ever encounter against Midtjylland, the ‘Peasants’ must be pleased to know they have suffered just one defeat in their previous six European clashes against Danish opposition (W4, D1, L1). If that’s not enough of a confidence boost, Roger Schmidt’s men can rely on an impressive recent form that saw them clock up a nine-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (W7, D2). Ruthlessness in front of goal highlighted PSV’s performances in that period, given they netted a resounding average of 2.44 goals per match.

Meanwhile, it took Midtjylland a second-leg extra time to overcome Celtic in the previous knock-out round, with both legs yielding the same 1-1 draw in regulation time. Midtjylland’s domestic form at the beginning of the season is nothing if not encouraging, with the ‘Ulvene’ winning both Danish Superliga fixtures this term by an aggregate score of 3-0. Pursuing back-to-back Champions League group stage appearances, Midtjylland will have to defy their two-game losing run against Dutch opposition to make such a milestone. Back by the return of one loss from their last six away qualifying matches (W3, D2), the Danish giants have progressed from the third qualifying round of both Champions League and Europa League in six consecutive attempts. More recently, they have gone from three straight away losses in all competitions to back-to-back wins ‘to nil.’