Newcastle will guarantee qualification for the last-16 play-offs and keep slender hopes of a top-eight finish alive with a victory over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday. PSV are in a fight to qualify, but they have proven to be dangerous opponents. The Dutch side have won both previous Champions League meetings between the teams, 1-0 at home and 2-0 away in 1997-98.
Newcastle will guarantee qualification for the last-16 play-offs and keep slender hopes of a top-eight finish alive with a victory over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
Their away struggles continued in the Premier League on Sunday with a 0-0 draw at bottom side Wolves, but they have been strong at home in the league (W7, D2, L2) and Europe (W2, L1).
PSV are in a fight to qualify, but they have proven to be dangerous opponents. A 4-1 win at Liverpool showcased their potential. The Dutch side have won both previous Champions League meetings between the teams, 1-0 at home and 2-0 away in 1997-98.
Did you know?
- PSV have won 14 of their past 16 games. However, their 4-1 win at Liverpool in November was just their second victory in 15 away games against English teams.
- They keep the ball well. Two of the three longest passing sequences leading to goals in the Champions League this season have been scored by PSV.
- Only Paris St-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Arsenal had more goals than PSV's 15 after six games.
Key PSV players - Joey Veerman and Guus Til
Veerman has eight goals and nine assists this season, and can play as a six or more advanced. The midfielder looked set to join Fenerbahce this month, but the deal collapsed. Since his PSV debut in January 2022, he ranks top in chances created – from open play and set-pieces – and assists among all players in the Eredivisie.
Meanwhile, Til is a versatile forward who is their top scorer with 14 goals, which is already his best scoring season for PSV. He was given his first Netherlands call-up in 2018, but he has been out of the international picture since 2024. However, he has outscored all the forwards who were called up to the last squad - including Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, Noa Lang and Donyell Malen - this season.
PSV squad summary
The Dutch giants will be without star forward Ricardo Pepi, who broke his arm scoring against Excelsior. He had scored in six consecutive games before injury. Ismael Saibari (11 goals this season) played in the Afcon final and could be back in contention. Meanwhile, Ruben van Bommel - the son of former Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel - is part of the squad.
Listen to commentary of Newcastle v PSV from 20:00 on Wednesday on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Category: General Sports
