Will PSV benefit from Rangers’ away weakness?
Probably the most notable and exciting pairing in this year’s Champions League play-offs between PSV Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers already delivered much of what it promised on paper in the first leg. Two attack-minded teams engaged in an intense exchange of blows and eventually parted with a 2-2 draw that leaves the door open for both clubs heading into next Wednesday’s second leg.
If we now take a look at the odds in the clash between PSV Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers, it becomes clear that the bookmakers with a German licence have picked the Dutch runners-up as favourites. This assessment is based primarily on the home advantage as well as the strong performances that the team has been able to show under its new coach Ruud van Nistelrooy in the still young season.
Apart from that, it cannot be ignored that the clubs go into this important encounter with different starting positions. While the home side were gifted a weekend off due to international duties, the reigning Europa League finalists struggled to a disappointing draw in the Scottish Premiership, leaving them with unnecessary strength in the process. That’s one of the reasons why our first approach between PSV from Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers is to lean the prediction more towards the hosts.
PSV Eindhoven – Statistics & current form
The first weeks for Ruud van Nistelrooy as PSV coach could hardly have gone better. On Wednesday night, the legendary striker now even has the chance to lead his youth club back to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2018/19. The prerequisite for that is a home win against Glasgow Rangers, regardless of whether it comes after regular time, extra time or even a penalty shootout.
The reigning runners-up should not be lacking in self-confidence, as they already knocked out a renowned opponent, AS from Monaco, in the third qualifying round. A draw against the Monegasques (1:1) was also enough to secure a place at home in the Philips Stadium a week later (3:2 n.V.). Since the away goals rule has long since ceased to apply in the European Cup, the starting position is now exactly the same after the 2-2 draw at the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow.
Is this the last time Gakpo will play for PSV?
Not only at European level, but also in the domestic league, the Rood-Witten have been convincing all along the line so far. At home against Emmen (4:1) and at the Go Ahead Eagles (5:2), there were two commanding victories, for which the foundation was laid in the first half in each case. The attack in particular is already in excellent shape at this early stage of the season and has scored an average of around three goals in five competitive games in 2022/23.
On a positive note, van Nistelrooy’s league game at the weekend was postponed in favour of the CL play-offs, giving the entire squad a full week to prepare for this, the most important game of the season so far. Moreover, because the Boers have not lost any of their last 12 matches and can rely on home advantage, the more promising value between PSV Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers is a 90-minute home win.
In terms of personnel, many neutral observers will be looking at Cody Gakpo. The 23-year-old left-back is on the verge of a move to the Premier League and could wear the red and white jersey for the last time on Wednesday.
Predicted line-up of PSV Eindhoven:
Benitez; Teze, Ramalho, Obispo, Max; Sangare, Veerman, Gutierrez; Saibari, De Jong, Gakpo
Last matches played by PSV Eindhoven:
Champions League Qualifier
17/08/2022 – Rangers 2 – 2 PSV Eindhoven
Eredivisie
13/08/2022 – Go Ahead Eagles 2 – 5 PSV Eindhoven
Champions League Qualifier
10/08/2022 – PSV Eindhoven 3 – 2 AS Monaco
Eredivisie
07/08/2022 – PSV Eindhoven 4 – 1 Emmen
Champions League Qualifier
03/08/2022 – AS Monaco 1 – 1 PSV Eindhoven
Glasgow Rangers – Statistics & current form
2010/11 was the last time Glasgow Rangers appeared in the group stage of the top flight. After years of gloom and forced relegation to the fourth Scottish league, it would be a great satisfaction if the “Teddy Bears” could once again compete with the best club teams in Europe on a competitive level from the beginning of September. However, if they fail to make it into the elite 32-team main draw, they will have to settle for the second-tier Europa League, as they did in the previous season.
It will be a difficult task on Wednesday evening, however, as it became clear in the third qualifying round that coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team is much stronger at home than away. Rangers lost the first leg 2-0 away to Belgian underdogs Royale Union SG, but then won 3-0 at home to progress to the next round.
Will Rangers lose their CL dream away from home (again)?
Also last season, including qualification, Rangers won only one of nine away matches in the European Cup. This contrasted with three draws and five defeats. In four away games alone, the “Gers” even failed to score a goal of their own. The fact that the Scottish top club nevertheless made it to the title game of the Europa League underlines their remarkable home strength, which, however, could not be fully exploited in the previous week’s 2:2.
In view of the poor results in other European stadiums, we definitely refrain from predicting the visitors in the second leg between PSV Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers. Especially because the dress rehearsal in the league went down the drain at the weekend.
The 2-2 draw in Edinburgh not only cost them substance, but also resulted in their first loss of points in the current Premiership season. And that despite the fact that most of the regular players were on the pitch and now on Wednesday already the fourth English week of the still young season concludes. In terms of fitness, the Dutch should also have advantages. Roofe, Helander and Hagi will be missing due to injury. Tom Lawrence’s participation is a question mark.
Predicted line-up of Glasgow Rangers:
McLaughlin; Tavernier, Goldson, Sands, Barisic; Lundstram, Davis, Jack; Tillman, Colak, Kent
Last matches played by Glasgow Rangers:
Premiership
20/08/2022 – Hibernian 2 – 2 Rangers
Champions League Qualifier
17/08/2022 – Rangers 2 – 2 PSV Eindhoven
Premiership
13/08/2022 – Rangers 4 – 0 St. Johnstone
Champions League Qualifier
10/08/2022 – Rangers 3 – 0 Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
Premiership
06/08/2022 – Rangers 2 – 0 Kilmarnock
PSV Eindhoven – Glasgow Rangers Direct comparison / H2H record
The clubs have already played seven competitive matches in the European Cup. With three wins, three draws and only one defeat, Rangers lead the direct comparison. However, this is to be taken with a pinch of salt, as the last time the clubs met before the previous week’s encounter was in the 2010/11 season.
In the first leg, however, the two teams went toe-to-toe. Although the Scots had a few more shots on goal, played more passes and had more possession overall, it was a capital error by PSV goalkeeper Benitez that gave Lawrence a 2-1 lead. Obispo finally made it 2:2 in the 78th minute. The remaining two goals were scored by Sangaré for Eindhoven and Colak for Glasgow.
PSV Eindhoven – Glasgow Rangers Tip
The big money is at stake on Tuesday and Wednesday. Traditionally, there is a lot at stake when the last tickets for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League are handed out. PSV Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers will be looking to secure one of the vacant spots. According to the betting odds, however, the Dutch have the better prospects.
After a 2-2 draw in the first leg at Ibrox Stadium a week ago, van Nistelrooy’s side hold all the cards. Momentum is on their side, their form could hardly be better and their unbeaten run of twelve matches all season plays into their favour. On top of that, they face an opponent who in the past has only put the fear of God into a few home teams.
The “Gers” have won only one of their last twelve European away games and even in the successful last European Cup season they conceded five defeats in nine attempts. The Scots have also failed to score four times away from home.
With the home side also rested going into this encounter, we believe that a bet on a home win after normal time will pay off between PSV of Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers.
