Juventus’ Champions League play-off tie with PSV Eindhoven looks evenly poised heading into the second leg on Wednesday night.

Samuel Mbangula’s strike handed Thiago Motta’s side a 2-1 victory in last week’s first leg, but Juve have a big task ahead if they’re to book their place in the round of 16. Peter Bosz’s dynamic PSV outfit are very tough to shackle on home soil.

However, the Bianconeri head into the return leg off the back of an impressive 1-0 win over Inter in the Derby d’Italia which moved them up to fourth in the Serie A table. The visitors have lost just one away game all season (at league leaders Napoli).

PSV’s dominance from 2023/24 hasn’t carried over into the current campaign, but they’ve got a shot at reaching the round of 16 in back-to-back seasons. The Dutch outfit are chasing the in-form Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie table after they picked up their third successive draw in the league at the weekend.

Here is 90min’s guide to PSV vs Juventus.

PSV Eindhoven vs Juventus H2H Record (All Games)

Current form (all competitions)

PSV’s American contingent have all succumbed to long-term injuries, with Ricardo Pepi ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up a serious knee injury. Malik Tillman and Sergino Dest are also absent.

They had availability issues in defence last week, and such concerns haven’t been totally alleviated in time for the second leg. Bosz will likely be without Rick Karsdorp and Olivier Boscagli for Juve’s visit.

Manchester United loanee Tyrell Malacia should be considered, although minutes are more likely off the bench.

Ivan Perisic returned to Italy to haunt the Bianconeri last week, and he should start down PSV’s left on Wednesday.

PSV predicted lineup vs Juventus (4-2-3-1): Benitez; Ledezma, Flamingo, Obispo, Junior; Schouten, Veerman; Bakayoko, Saibari, Perisic; De Jong.

Randal Kolo Muani has usurped Dusan Vlahovic as Motta’s preferred option up top having joined the club on loan from PSG in January. The Frenchman teed up Francisco Conceicao’s winner on Sunday following a delightful piece of skill in the Inter box.

Arkadiusz Milik remains sidelined for the visitors, so Vlahovic will be called upon in reserve.

Manuel Locatelli, Kenan Yildiz and Andrea Cambiaso were all utilised off the bench at the weekend and are contenders to start in Eindhoven. Mbangula, last week’s match-winner, could also get the nod.

Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, Pierre Kalulu and Douglas Luiz are out injured.

Juventus predicted lineup vs PSV Eindhoven (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Weah, Gatti, Veiga, Cambiaso; Thuram, Locatelli; Gonzalez, McKennie, Yildiz; Kolo Muani

PSV are unbeaten at home this season, but Juventus don’t need to win in Eindhoven to secure progression into the round of 16. The Philips Stadion is not an easy place to visit, but Juve will be emboldened by their recent victory in the Derby d’Italia.

It was this time last year when Motta’s Bologna found their groove as they secured their place in this season’s Champions League, and the game state should suit the visitors on Wednesday. They’ve become more comfortable playing without the ball and threatening primarily on the counter-attack.

Thus, while they’ll likely have to ride several storms, the Italians are in a good position to advance.

Prediction: PSV Eindhoven 1-1 Juventus

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