Juventus head into the match with a 2-1 lead after their win in Turin, and they've already defeated PSV twice this season. A win on Wednesday will secure their spot in the last 16.
Despite pushing for a draw in the first leg, PSV were beaten by Juventus for the second time in five months. Ivan Perisic’s equalizer, which made him the club's oldest scorer in the Champions League, wasn't enough to prevent a 2-1 defeat. Juventus’ Samuel Mbangula sealed the win with an 82nd-minute goal, leaving PSV with a one-goal deficit to overcome at home.
PSV has struggled in recent knockout stages of Europe’s top competition, failing to progress in 8 of the 11 times they've lost the first leg. However, they're undefeated in their last 12 European games at home, having won their last three matches at Philips Stadion, including against Liverpool, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Girona.
Coach Peter Bosz’s side has not replicated last season’s domestic form and needed a last-minute goal from Isaac Babadi to salvage a draw against Utrecht. PSV are second in the Eredivisie, but their form has been inconsistent, with only two wins in their last eight league games. Still, they’ll be hoping that their home advantage and a spot in the Champions League last 16 will inspire a strong performance against Juve.
Meanwhile, Juventus head to the Netherlands with a solid record in Europe. After Weston McKennie’s stunning goal last week set them on the path to victory, a draw on Wednesday would be enough to send them through. The Italian side won 3-1 at home in the group stage when McKennie also scored. Though they struggled early in the season, Juventus has been on a strong run lately, winning four straight games after a tough stretch.
Their only Serie A defeat this season came against leaders Napoli, but Juventus has been solid in Europe. Historically, they’ve progressed from all 20 of their European knockout ties after winning the first leg, a streak dating back to 1979.
Having won their last three league matches, including a hard-fought Derby d'Italia against Inter Milan, Juventus will look to finish the job and reach the Champions League last 16. They could face either Inter or Arsenal next, but first, they must overcome PSV.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
PSV will be without Ricardo Pepi for the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury, and they’ll also miss the services of fellow Americans Sergino Dest and Malik Tillman, who are both long-term absentees.
Additionally, full-backs Rick Karsdorp and Olivier Boscagli are unlikely to feature, with Boscagli still recovering from a muscle injury sustained against Liverpool.
Mauro Junior, Richard Ledezma, and Manchester United loanee Tyrell Malacia will be competing for spots in the lineup, while top scorer Luuk de Jong will lead the attack.
For Juventus, Dusan Vlahovic, who’s currently out of favor, will not feature, so Randal Kolo Muani will likely take the reins up front. The French forward has been in great form, scoring five goals in his last five games since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. He’s also the first player this century to score five goals in his first three Serie A appearances.
Juventus coach Thiago Motta is known for making changes, even with a winning team, and he may rotate his squad on Wednesday. Manuel Locatelli, Kenan Yildiz, and returning full-back Andrea Cambiaso are all in contention for spots in the starting lineup.
Juventus will also be without several key players, including Bremer, Juan Cabal, and Arkadiusz Milik, who are all long-term absentees. Pierre Kalulu remains unavailable, and Douglas Luiz is still struggling with a thigh injury.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Ledezma, Flamingo, Obispo, Junior; Schouten, Veerman; Bakayoko, Saibari, Perisic; De Jong
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; Weah, Gatti, Veiga, Cambiaso; Thuram, Locatelli; Gonzalez, McKennie, Yildiz; Kolo Muani
EXPERT PREDICTION
PSV 2-2 Juventus
