TipResumen

PSV EINDHOVEN

A remarkable game in Belarus ended in favour of PSV Eindhoven last week in the First Leg of this Champions League Play Off tie and the Dutch Champions are now big favourites to progress through to the Group Stage of the competition. No one will argue against PSV Eindhoven deserving their 2-3 win in the First Leg, but it looked like the side had to settle for a draw when conceding in the last five minutes of the fixture in Borisov before hitting back immediately to win the game. A strong start to the defence of the Dutch title will be well appreciated by the fans, but Mark van Bommel will understand how important it is for PSV Eindhoven to be competing in the Champions League Group Stage. That means there is still some pressure to deal with as PSV Eindhoven look to confirm their place amongst the 32 in the Groups, especially as PSV have not won any of their last 5 home European games and been beaten in 3 of those. PSV Eindhoven were beaten on penalties by Feyenoord in the Dutch Super Cup and that meant they had not won any of 4 games in all competitions going back to last season. They have quickly reversed that form with 4 straight wins in all competitions going into this Second Leg, while PSV Eindhoven are unbeaten in 19 home games in all competitions and won 17 of them.



BATE BORISOV

The away form has been key for BATE Borisov in making it through to the Champions League Play Off Round in the Qualifiers, but it is a big ask to produce another big effort on their travels. The 2-3 home loss to PSV Eindhoven has put BATE Borisov behind the black ball as far as Qualifying for the Champions League Group Stage is concerned, although they will have seen enough defensive vulnerability from the Dutch Champions to think they have a slight chance in this tie. Wins over HJK Helsinki and Qarabag have taken BATE Borisov through from the Second Qualifying Round in the Champions League, but they have won none of their 3 home Qualifiers and won both away from home. They had lost 3 of 4 away European games before the back to wins in the last couple of Rounds, but BATE Borisov will also recognise how much tougher PSV Eindhoven are going to be than those opponents. BATE Borisov are already a good distance clear in the Belarusian top flight, a Division they have dominated, but they have not won any of their last 3 games in all competitions. The side do come into this one unbeaten in 6 away games in all competitions and BATE Borisov have won 5 of those in normal time, although they would not have faced too many teams of the quality of the Dutch Champions.



HEAD TO HEAD

This is the first time PSV Eindhoven have hosted BATE Borisov in a competitive fixture. PREDICTION The late, late winner in Borisov has put PSV Eindhoven in complete command of this Champions League Play Off tie knowing a narrow defeat would also be enough to secure their Group Stage spot as long as they don't concede three or more goals. Some of the defending produced by PSV Eindhoven in the First Leg may suggest they are more than capable of conceding three goals here, but they will be looking at the positives. While there were some vulnerabilities at the back, PSV Eindhoven have to be looking at the positives and how they looked like they could score every time they got after the BATE Borisov defensive line. With the visitors having to push forward and search for the goals to get back into the tie, PSV Eindhoven could wrap this Play Off tie up in emphatic fashion and I do think they can win fairly comfortably on the night. Of course they don't need to win which raises some questions, but I think PSV Eindhoven want to ease any tensions as soon as possible and they will be too strong for BATE Borisov in this one.