PSV take on the visitors Shakhtar Donetsk in the round 5 match of UEFA Champions League group stage. The match will be played on Wednesday, November 27th at Philips Stadium (Eindhoven).
PSV continues to assert itself as the dominant force in Dutch football. Under the guidance of Peter Bosz, the team clinched the Eredivisie title in the 2023/2024 season, overcoming fierce competition from Feyenoord. Bosz’s return to the Netherlands has rejuvenated the "Farmers," who also claimed the Super Cup last year. This season began with a dramatic loss in the Super Cup, where Feyenoord narrowly triumphed in a penalty shootout after a thrilling 4-4 draw. However, PSV quickly regained their rhythm, dominating the Eredivisie with only a few blemishes on their record. In the Champions League, their campaign started with a loss to Juventus but has since improved significantly. Draws against Sporting Lisbon and PSG demonstrated resilience, while a commanding 4-0 win over Girona highlighted their attacking prowess.
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Shakhtar Donetsk is A team in transition. Shakhtar has long been a powerhouse in Ukrainian football, but recent seasons have brought challenges. The team, led by coach Marino Pušić, secured a domestic double last year but has struggled to maintain their dominance. In the Ukrainian Premier League, they now trail Dynamo Kyiv and even Oleksandriya. Their Champions League journey has been inconsistent. They suffered a heavy defeat to Atalanta but managed a goalless draw away at Bologna, despite missing a crucial penalty. Against Arsenal, Shakhtar only found the net through a lucky own goal by the Gunners' keeper, though they showed grit in the closing stages. Most recently, they secured a morale-boosting victory over Young Boys.
This will be the first-ever meeting between PSV Eindhoven and Shakhtar Donetsk, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup. PSV is rightfully considered the favorite, given their form and home advantage. However, Shakhtar has shown enough resilience to suggest they won't be easy to brush aside. PSV's high-tempo, attacking style may challenge Shakhtar’s defense, which has shown vulnerabilities. However, Shakhtar’s counter-attacking ability and disciplined defending could frustrate the Dutch side, especially if they can capitalize on set pieces or turnovers. While PSV is likely to dominate possession and create chances, Shakhtar’s resilience and fighting spirit may keep the scoreline closer than expected. Expect a competitive match with PSV edging it, but Shakhtar covering the spread.
Prediction for the match: Shakhtar to win with +1.5 handicap.
