PSV host league phase leaders, Liverpool in a final league phase fixture in 2024-25 UEFA Champions League.
Victory or a draw will guarantee a knockout play-off spot for PSV, whilst a victory or draw will see Liverpool finish top but a loss might be enough if Barcelona fail to win elsewhere.
Team News
Ryan Flamingo is suspended for PSV following his red card in last week’s 3-2 win at Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade.
Malik Tillman was suspended for the trip to Belgrade but is unlikely to return as he recovers from an ankle injury, joining Sergino Dest (knee) on the sidelines.
Ivan Perisic is ineligible to feature after he wasn’t registered in PSV’s Champions League squad for this phase of the competition.
Liverpool could again be without midfielder, Curtis Jones after he missed their 4-1 Premier League win over Ipswich, due to a knock suffered in last week’s Champions League win over Lille.
Diogo Jota (fitness) and Joe Gomez (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
PSV host Liverpool at Philips Stadion on Wednesday 28 January at 8pm, live on TNT Sports 3 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- PSV are winless in their six previous Champions League meetings against Liverpool (D1, L5).
- Liverpool are unbeaten in three previous Champions League visits to PSV (W2, D1).
- PSV have conceded three goals in each of their last two home games against Liverpool (L2).
- Tillman has been involved in more Champions League goals than any other PSV player this season with three goals and two assists, but he is sidelined with an ankle injury for this match.
- Alexis Mac Allister has been booked in two of Liverpool’s three away games in the league phase.
Prediction
Unbeaten in five of their last six league phase fixtures despite keeping just a single clean sheet, PSV now find themselves in a steady position where a point will be enough for them to qualify for the knockout play-offs at minimum but they will need to continue their unbeaten home form to give themselves a chance.
Liverpool meanwhile absolutely thumped Ipswich last weekend with a dominantly clinical display despite a late defensive switch-off from a corner-kick, but I expect more of the same control and dominance here as top spot is still not assured which could be key come Round of 16 in terms of seeding.
Arne Slot’s Reds though will have one eye on their upcoming domestic visit to Bournemouth at the weekend but I still expect them to get the job done here, even if they must try and grind it out.
Prediction: PSV 1-2 Liverpool
Result: PSV 3-2 Liverpool
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