Champions League
2025-03-12 - Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Champions League Last 16 Second Leg
Wednesday 12th March 2025 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Arsenal
Losing a number of key attackers has left Arsenal vulnerable in the Premier League and they have fallen in their bid to chase down Liverpool. There is a hope that reinforcements will return from injury after the March international break in time for the Champions League Quarter Final, something that Arsenal will be preparing for after the crushing win in Eindhoven.
While they have struggled for any kind of consistency in the final third in England, Arsenal could not fail to hit the back of the net when scoring seven times from eight shots in the Last 16 First Leg in the Champions League last week. The big lead makes this Second Leg a nerveless affair for Arsenal, but Mikel Arteta will want to see some of the fringe players take advantage of the opportunities that will be offered to them.
Arsenal have won just 2 of their last 6 games in all competitions after the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday and scoring goals has been a real challenge outside of that big win over PSV. The Gunners were beaten 0-1 by West Ham United in their last fixture at the Emirates Stadium, but Arsenal have won all 4 home Champions League games this season.
Changes will be made to the starting eleven with the big lead secured from the First Leg. You have to believe the manager is not going to take risks by playing Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Martinelli with a booking meaning suspension for the Champions League Quarter Final First Leg.
PSV Eindhoven
The final scoreline might not have been the best reflection of the First Leg of this Champions League tie, but PSV Eindhoven will be heading to London looking to just rebuild some pride. Conceding seven at home in a Knock Out tie will sting, but the Dutch club will be looking for a better performance which could restore confidence as PSV Eindhoven try and bridge the 8 point gap to Eredivisie leaders Ajax.
There might have been a request from Feyenoord to have their League game postponed this past weekend so they could prepare for their Champions League Second Leg, but that was never likely for PSV Eindhoven after being crushed at home. The side have won 1 of their 5 away Champions League games played this season.
PSV Eindhoven followed their Champions League Play Off Round win over Juventus by losing 3 in a row in all competitions, but they were 2-1 winners over Heerenveen this past weekend. They have lost 5 of their last 7 away games in all competitions, while PSV Eindhoven have conceded at least twice in 5 in a row on their travels.
A host of PSV Eindhoven players are missing through injury and the squad could have a similar feel to the one that took part in the home humiliation against Arsenal last week.
Head to Head
This will be the sixth time Arsenal have hosted PSV Eindhoven in a competitive fixture and they have won 3 and drawn 2 of the last 5 in North London.
The last time these teams met in London was in September 2023 and Arsenal were comfortable 4-0 winners.
Prediction
This Champions League tie is over.
It would take something unprecedented for Arsenal to fail to reach the Champions League Quarter Final after winning 1-7 in the Netherlands in the First Leg.
This will give Mikel Arteta an opportunity to rest some players and just make sure the squad is not hit by any more injuries before the March international break. He will have been boosted by a returning Gabriel Martinelli on Sunday, but Arsenal will not risk the Brazilian in this Second Leg and the fringe players will have a chance to impress.
Last week it felt like everything Arsenal did in the final third turned to goals, but they have continued to struggle domestically.
Of course it should be stated that PSV Eindhoven are not as strong as some of the opponents Arsenal will face in the Premier League and this is a team that is also struggling with injuries decimating options. They did not play badly at home, despite the final scoreline, but PSV Eindhoven have continued to have issues defensively and even a changed Arsenal without a recognised striker could hurt them again.
PSV Eindhoven can play a part and they created enough chances to score more than once in the First Leg.
With nothing to lose, they can help make this an expansive fixture and the Second Leg might be entertaining for the fans in attendance, even if it is unlikely to have much of an impact in the direction of the overall tie.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Arsenal 3-1 PSV Eindhoven
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 2.5 Goals at 1.72 with BetFred
