Sevilla v PSV Eindhoven is the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 play-offs, to be played on Thursday at 21:00: TV, line-ups, predictions
Sevilla return to their ‘beloved’ Europa League, a competition in which they have triumphed six times in the last 20 years. The last time was in 2020: in the post-lockdown summer, led by Julen Lopetegui (now at Wolverhampton), they won the final in Cologne over Inter Milan, then still coached by Antonio Conte. The current season, however, is not providing much satisfaction for the Andalusian outfit quite the opposite.
Returned from the Champions League in November, having picked up barely five points in the group with Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and Copenhagen, the Andalusian side have had a difficult time in the league. And a few days ago they had even plunged into the relegation zone. This crisis has deep roots and led to Lopetegui’s departure last autumn. In his place the ownership enlisted the Argentine Jorge Sampaoli, not exactly unknown in these parts – he led Sevilla in the 2016-17 season – who in the last period seems to have found some sort of cure to heal the team. Since January, the trend has changed and Rakitic and his teammates have climbed the standings, abandoning the red zone, now four points away. The merit for this is, above all, an excellent home performance: in 2023 Sevilla have not missed a beat in front of their home crowd, conceding just one goal.
Sevilla are on the upswing
The same cannot be said about away games: away from home they continue to limp along, with just one point collected in their last three away games.
Xavi Simons
In the Europa League play-off Sampaoli and his team will face Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Psv Eindhoven, who finished second in the group to Arsenal. Despite two big losses in the winter market – Gakpo to Liverpool and Madueke to Chelsea – the Dutch side held their own, grabbing a player of the calibre of Thorgan Hazard. In the Eredivisie, Psv are still in the running for the title, being fourth four points behind leaders Feyenoord. On Saturday the men coached by the former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker scrambled Groningen 6-0, their second win in the last three matches.
The Prediction
The Europa League can only be good for Sevilla, who have recovered in the last month and are slight favourites in this match against Psv Eindhoven, which will be a balanced one. A victory for the hosts can be considered, although the guests shine in ball possession and at least one goal should be scored.
Sevilla v PSV Eindhoven likely line-up
- SEVILLE (3-4-2-1): Bounou; Nianzou, Badé, Gudelj; Jesus Navas, Fernando, Gueye, Acuna; Suso, Torres; En-Nesyri.
- PSV EINDHOVEN (4-2-3-1): Benitez; Teze, Ramalho, Branthwaite, van Aanholt; Sangaré, Veerman; Bakayoko, Simons, Hazard; de Jong.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
