PSV to take advantage of transitioning Basel
The Champions League mainstays PSV and Basel face each other in a tricky second qualifying round matchup on Tuesday. Can the Dutch side overcome one of Switzerland’s powerhouse clubs? Have a read of our preview here:
Van Bommel overseeing a stable set up
After five years and three national championship titles, now Derby County manager, Philip Cocu left PSV for Turkey. He left a side in an extremely stable condition and in Mark Van Bommel they had a capable coach to slide into the dugout.
The former midfielder got off to an excellent start, winning the first 13 league games but in the end, the might and quality of rivals Ajax meant the rood-witten had to settle for a second-place finish.
This was, ultimately, disappointing but only because it meant the side from Amsterdam managed to secure the championship. Overall, the campaign was pretty solid for PSV and the fact they only finished three points off the league leaders imparts on just how close the chase for top spot really was.
Founded on the best defensive record in the Eredivisie, Van Bommel’s side conceded just 26 times in 34 games but, despite losing one less game than Ajax, the five draws throughout the campaign saw vital points dropped at crucial times.
They head into a Champions League match up with a Basel side who are in transition and this could be the best time to play the, once brilliant, Swiss outfit.
Lozano is still the man
Herving Lozano has turned out to be one of PSV’s shrewdest acquisitions in recent seasons. He signed a six-year contract upon his arrival from Pachuca two campaigns ago and it is startling that they have been able to keep him.
The Mexican smashed home 17 goals for the second league campaign running as PSV finished runners up last season. He will have a massive part to play again if the Boeren are to reach the Champions League group stages.
He hit four goals in eight games in this competition last season and will need to carry on that scoring rate following the departure of hotshot Luuk de Jong who departed to Sevilla.
Basel no longer the dominant force
Basel enjoyed eight straight Super League titles between 2010 and 2017 but they have fallen well short in the last two campaigns, seeing Young Boys Bern take two consecutive crowns – the first time a side, that is not Basel, has done so since FC Zurich in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
Ralph Wicky lost his job last season and they were humiliated 7-1 in the league by the eventual champions. This side is not what it once was and PSV could take advantage of a transitional period in the club’s history.
Marcel Koller has a lot of work to do and this game may have come too soon for the former Austria national team coach despite a convincing opening day victory against Sion in the new Swiss Super League campaign.
PSV Eindhoven v FC Basel betting tip
Even though PSV are heavy favourites to win this one, they are up against a side that has a lot of experience in Europe so Basel getting on the scoresheet can’t be ruled out. That is why backing both teams to score and PSV to win at odds of 29/10 appears to be decent value here.
