After an evenly contested first leg, which ended in a 2-2 draw at the Ibrox Stadium, PSV and Rangers will renew acquaintances on Wednesday when the former hot the latter at the Philips Stadion at 20:00GMT. Both teams are looking to make it into this season’s group stages of the Champions League tournament.
Match Preview
Can PSV Make Home Advantage Count against Rangers?
After making a winning start to their Eredivisie season, PSV will be looking to extend this good run of form into their Champions League qualifier tie against Rangers, with the second leg coming up on Wednesday.
The Dutch will focus on compactness and avoid being as open as they were away from home in the 2-2 draw at Ibrox.
However, they will also seek to ensure that their approach allows the creation of chances because they need to score to complete the victory.
Keeping a clean sheet will be crucial for PSV because they have not kept one over their last six matches. This highlights the challenge they face as they bid to beat Rangers.
Can Rangers Cause an Upset to make it into the Champions League Group Stage?
Rangers will be looking to extend their brilliant start to their Scottish Premiership season where they have won three out of three as they chase early pace setters Celtic.
The Ibrox side will be encouraged with the 2-2 home draw against PSV in the first leg. They will back themselves to go to the Netherlands and get the win they need to proceed to the group stages of the Champions League this season.
Having kept three clean sheets in their last three outings in the Champions League qualifying rounds, Rangers will be confident that they can score and shut out PSV on their way to progressing to the next round of the competition.
Form Guide
PSV Eindhoven
PSV started the season with an emphatic 2-5 win over Ajax in the Johan Cruijff Shield, which set them up for a perfect beginning to the Eredivisie campaign.
They have since won four matches and drawn twice in all competitions. In the third qualifying round of the Champions League, PSV drew 1-1 away to Monaco before winning the return leg 3-2 to progress.
PSV have also won two of their opening two fixtures in the Eredivisie. They have collected six points and are ranked second on the table behind Ajax.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will look to use the home atmosphere to fire his side to qualification for Champions League this season at the expense of Rangers.
Rangers
The Ibrox side have won their opening three matches in the Scottish Premiership. They have collected 9 points and have kept pace with top-of-the-table Celtic.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side eliminated Union Saint-Gillois in their previous round of Champions League qualifiers. They won 2 away from home while completing their progression with a 3-0 win at the Ibrox.
In their first leg of their tie with PSV, Rangers held them to a 2-2 draw, setting up a finely-poised second leg in the Netherlands.
Bronckhorst will focus on solidity in the second leg with emphasis on counter-attacking PSV, who are expected to dominate possession.
Possible Starting Lineups
PSV Eindhoven
Benitez; P. Max, A. Obispo, A. Ramlho, J. Teze; E. Gutierrez, J. Veerman, I. Sangare; C. Gakpo, L. de Jong, I. Saibari
Rangers
McLaughlin; J. Tavernier, C. Goldson, J. Sands, B. Barisic; T. Lawrence, S. Davies, J. Lundstram; A. Colak, M. Tillman, R. Kent
Players to Watch
L. de Jong
The Dutch 31-year-old striker has grabbed two goals this season. He has notched one in the Eredivisie while also scoring one in the Champions League qualifiers.
His aerial power is a potent tool for PSV as they look to dominate their opponents and create goal-scoring chances.
His link-up with the rest of the attacking players for PSV is also important in bolstering their passing game, and creating chances for wide players and attacking midfielders to grab goals.
A. Colak
The Croatian national team forward has been crucial for Rangers this season. The 28-year-old has scored four goals for Rangers this season. He has grabbed two in the Scottish Premiership while grabbing two in the Champions League qualifiers.
Colak’s pace is important in his attacking play, especially when he is cutting in from wide areas for Rangers.
His goal-scoring has been crucial in winning points for the Ibrox side. Moreover, his relationship with their attacking players through the middle and in wide areas is crucial in opening opponents up.
Colak will be crucial for Rangers as they seek to win away from home against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
Prediction
PSV Eindhoven will seek to play their usual possession-based and patient style of football. This means they will dominate the ball, press the opponents across the pitch, and seek to create chances through quick passing in midfield to release attackers.
Rangers will adopt a high-energy, high-tempo match against PSV. They will be solid defensively but will not be afraid to arrack when they have the ball. They will especially use their wide players to create problems for PSV’s defense.
Rangers will win the match and progress to the next stage of the Champions League campaign.
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