PSV vs Royale Union SG prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-09-15 16:45.
[p]Reigning Dutch and Belgian champions clash on matchday one of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) league phase as PSV host UCL debutants Union Saint-Gilloise in a clash truly worthy of the competition’s name. [/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Crowned champions of the Netherlands for the 26th time in 2024/25, PSV make a joint Dutch record 19th foray into Europe’s top-tier competition. With five victories from six competitive matches this season, Peter Bosz’s men seem well placed to end a run of four successive UCL opening games which ended in defeat. They went down away to Juventus on matchday one last season, but considering they recovered to end the league phase above eventual winners PSG, they’ve proved recently that they have the credentials to compete in this competition. [/p]
[p]Champions of Belgium for the first time since 1934/35 last season, Royale Union subsequently booked their first-ever ticket into the UCL league phase. Built on solid foundations, Royale Union arrive here unbeaten in the Pro League this season (W5, D2) and on the back of four consecutive clean sheets. Making the short journey to Eindhoven shouldn’t particularly faze coach Sébastien Pocognoli and his side either, as this approximate 1 hour 30 minute journey by car is comparable to a domestic away game, of which they’re unbeaten in nine (W7, D2). [/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]This is the first meeting between these sides, but PSV have played four previous games against Belgian sides in UEFA competitions without a win (D1, L3). In fact, Dutch sides have won just one of eight matches against Belgian opponents (D3, L4). [/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Ten of PSV’s last 12 UCL home games saw both teams score. [/p]
[p]PSV have scored in each of their last 16 European home games. [/p]
[p]Royale Union have scored beyond the 80th minute in three of their last four games. [/p]
[p]Royale Union lost four of their six European away games last season, although both wins came in the Netherlands. [/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Ruben van Bommel has taken three or more shots in four of his last five games in UEFA competitions for PSV, with nine of the 18 overall during that time being on target. Kevin Rodriguez jointly leads the way for Royale Union with four goals this season, all of which came in victories while two served to open the scoring. [/p]
[p]PSV’s most notable absentees are Mauro Júnior and Alassane Pléa, while Royale Union will be without joint top-scorer Raul Florucz due to a UCL suspension picked up with his former club. [/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Considering the defensive solidity of the visitors and the dominance of Belgian sides in fixtures like this, we’re backing Royale Union in the draw no bet market. [/p]
[p][i]Author: Matthew Billon[/i][/p]