PSV vs Zurich prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-12 19:00.
After a five-star performance in the reverse H2H last week (W 5-1), Ruud van Nistelrooy and his PSV side should return to Eindhoven full of confidence in search of a quickfire double over the Swiss champions, Zürich. Just two points separate the three sides at the top of Group A ahead of the round, although another win for PSV will virtually end Zürich’s hope of progressing in this competition.
It’s not just on the European front that PSV are enjoying themselves, as a run of three wins from their last four Eredivisie games keeps them within touching distance of leaders AZ Alkmaar. As an extra incentive here, PSV have the opportunity to maintain their 100% win-rate after three home encounters against Swiss opposition, with each previous encounter seeing PSV net three goals!
In stark contrast to their hosts, Zürich find themselves in the thick of a club crisis. Last season’s Swiss champions could only manage a goalless draw against promoted Winterthur last time out in league action, leaving them bottom of the table and winless (D4, L6) after ten games. Align that with cup elimination against lower-tier Lausanne and a rotten three-game losing run in the UEFA Europa League (UEL), and insult is most certainly added to injury.
We could see a stronger Zürich this time around though with the arrival of new coach Bo Henriksen. The Danish boss picked up silverware with Midtjylland last season and is known for creating a great atmosphere within clubs, a much-needed attribute for a side winless since August (D2, L7). Those sentiments were echoed by Zürich president Ancillo Canepa too, who stated “We urgently need this positive energy that Bo radiates throughout the club”, but it remains to be seen if energy translates into results.
Players to watch: Despite playing one fewer game than just about everyone else, PSV’s Cody Gakpo ranks amongst the highest goal contributors in this UEL group stage (G3, A1), including three against Zürich! Spending the vast majority of his career in the Netherlands prior to his switch to Zürich this season, Jonathan Okita has now scored in both of his games against PSV (including last week), but lost both times.
Hot stat: ZĂĽrich failed to win 12 of their 13 all-time UEL group stage away games (D3, L9).