PSV Eindhoven vs FC Copenhagen Match Analysis and Prediction

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PSV Eindhoven will welcome Copenhagen to Netherlands on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa Conference League round of 16 tie.

The hosts had to get past Maccabi Tel Aviv in a playoff match to reach this stage, while Copenhagen earned automatic progression to this stage courtesy of their performance in the group stage.

PSV started their continental campaign this year in qualification for the Champions League, and after two-legged victory over Galatasaray and Midtjylland, theyr were eventually beaten by Benfica, dropping into the Europa League group stage as a result.

However, a couple of victories over Sturm Graz proved not enough to see them reach the knockout stages of the Europa League, as they finished third behind Monaco and Real Sociedad.

That saw them take on Maccabi Tel Aviv in their final chance at continental knockout football this season, and after a 1-0 home win through Cody Gakpo’s goal, Yorbe Vertessen scored in the second leg to ensure they progressed 2-1 on aggregate.

PSV head into the round of 16 in good form, having won their last seven games to move within a point of Eredivisie leaders Ajax, most recently defeating Heracles 3-1 at the weekend with goals from Joey Veerman, Eran Zahavi and Gakpo.

They welcome Copenhagen aiming to extend their stay in the Conference League after progressing through the group stage in a dominant style.

After victories over Slovan Bratislava and Lincoln Red Imps, Copenhagen suffered a defeat to PAOK, but they regained a lead at the top of the group be returning the favour with a 2-1 victory in Greece through goals from Ankersen and Pep Biel.

The Byens Hold the ensured they held onto top spot by completing doubles over the group’s strugglers, finishing with an eye-catching record of 15 points and 15 goal as a result.

PSV Eindhoven vs FC Copenhagen head to head

The two clubs have previously met on only two occasions in the Europa League in 2009, where PSV won once at home before they drew in the second leg of the competition. PSV scored two goals while Copenhagen scored once. They now meet for the first time in the Europa Conference League.

PSV 1-0 FC Copenhagen 22/10/09

FC Copenhagen 1-1 PSV 05/11/09

PSV Eindhoven latest home form

PSV have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their last four matches. Their last home defeat came on February 5 when they lost 2-1 to AZ. In their last five, they have won four and lost one, scoring 12 goals and conceded four.

PSV 1-2 AZ 05/02/22

PSV 4-0 NAC Breda 08/02/22

PSV 1-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv 17/02/22

PSV 3-1 Heerenveen 20/02/22

PSV 3-1 Heracles 06/03/22

PSV Eindhoven latest away form

PSV have been on a good run of form on the road so far, and they have been unbeaten in their seven most recent away matches. They recently defeated Go Ahead Eagles 2-1 in the KNVB Beker. In their last five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded three.

Groningen 0-1 PSV 16/01/22

Vitesse 0-5 PSV 12/02/22

Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 PSV 24/02/22

Sparta Rotterdam 1-2 PSV 27/02/22

Go Ahead Eagles 02/03/222

FC Copenhagen latest home form

Copenhagen recently lost to Zenit through penalties after a 1-1 draw in The Atlantic Cup. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, having lost just one of their last nine matches. In their last five, they have scored 12 goals and conceded just three.

FC Copenhagen 3-2 Helsingor 24/01/22

FC Copenhagen 3-0 Flora 29/01/22

FC Copenhagen 1-1(P) Zenit 10/02/22

FC Copenhagen 2-0 OB 20/02/22

FC Copenhagen 3-0 Randers 04/03/22

FC Copenhagen latest away form

The Byens Hold have been on a good run of form on the road, and they have been unbeaten in their seven most recent away matches. They recently managed to defeat Briedablik 4-3 in The Atlantic Cup. In their last five matches, they have scored 15 goals and conceded five.

Lincoln Red Imps 0-4 FC Copenhagen 25/11/21

AaB 1-3 FC Copenhagen 28/11/21

Halmstad 1-2 FC Copenhagen 05/02/22

Briedablik 3-4 FC Copenhagen 11/02/22

Viborg 0-2 FC Copenhagen 27/02/22

PSV Eindhoven news

PSV will be without Maximiliano Romero and Andre Ramalho due to injuries, while midfielder Ryan Thomas is not expected to return imminently.

Wingers Cody Gakpo and Ritsu Doan could feature on the flanks in a 4-2-3-1 formation from the onset, with Erick Guitierrez and Ibrahim Sangare likely operating in midfield.

FC Copenhagen news

Copenhagen will be missing the services of new striker Khouma Babacar, who is ruled out of both legs of the round of 16 tie of the competition.

Meanwhile key forward Jonas Wind departed for Wolfsburg in the January transfer window after scoring 11 goals in the first half of the season.

Prediction and Odds

PSV come into the game boasting the stronger squad, and will fancy their chances of taking advantage of the first leg as they have the home advantage.

Copenhagen have a free-playing squad which may leave them open at the back where the host are likely to take advantage to overcome them.

Odds: 1 1.90 X 2.05 2 2.30