PSV vs. Juventus Prediction: Italians Hold Slender Lead

• Juventus lead 2-1 on aggregate at half-time of this Champions League play-off

• PSV have home advantage as they seek to come from behind in the tie

• Which one of these two teams will advance to the round of 16?

PSV vs. Juventus Odds

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PSV vs. Juventus Pick

Back a draw in the second leg of this Champions League play-off, a result that would be enough to send Juventus through.

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Juventus Are Ahead on Aggregate but Not by Much

Whereas Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund both have one foot in the last 16 of the Champions League after handsome wins last week, Juventus cannot afford to relax just yet. They too were victorious in the first leg of their play-off against PSV, but a 2-1 triumph means the Dutch outfit are still in this tie. This one can still go either way.

Weston McKennie gave Juventus the lead in the first half at the Allianz Stadium last week, before Ivan Perisic drew PSV level early in the second half. In what could prove to be a crucial moment, Samuel Mbangula then struck a winner for the Italian giants in the 82nd minute.

On the balance of play, Juventus will feel they were worthy victors. For the most part they successfully shut down a PSV attacking unit that scores goals for fun back home. At the same time, Juve did not exactly dazzle in the first leg. They had plenty of the ball as per usual, but Thaigo Motta wanted more from his side in the final third.

“We are always trying to improve, both at home and away,” the manager said. “We need to attack the box more, as we have often done it with little strength and few men. Today it was a bit better, but we can still improve. The three midfielders and the three strikers are players who have to attack the area, as this is the way you score.”

On the plus side, anyone who watched Juventus earlier in the season knows that they have improved since then. A 1-0 defeat of Inter in the Derby d’Italia on Sunday will have given them a major boost ahead of the second leg. Juventus have now won four games in a row in all competitions for the first time under Thiago Motta.

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PSV Will Still Feel They Can Advance to the Next Round

PSV have now lost twice to Juventus this term. In addition to last week’s 2-1 reverse, PSV were defeated 3-1 by the Italians in the league phase. Yet both of those games took place at the Allianz Stadium. PSV will hope that home advantage makes the difference in their favor on Wednesday.

A 2-1 loss away from home was probably a better result when the away goals rule was still in operation. Yet a one-goal deficit is surmountable. PSV will draw confidence from their home record in the league phase, where they took 10 points from a possible 12 and even beat Liverpool.

PSV have stuttered domestically of late. After winning 14 of their first 15 matches in the Eredivisie, Peter Bosz’s side have now triumphed in just two of their last seven league outings. After a 1-1 draw with Willem II at the weekend, PSV were knocked off top spot by Ajax, who are the new title favorites.

On their day, though, PSV are a force to be reckoned with. Bosz’s teams always play offensive, front-footed soccer. In their last three home games in the Champions League, PSV scored 10 goals. Juventus should expect their defense to come under pressure on Wednesday. 

"I think it's a shame. I didn't believe it was necessary to lose,” Bosz said after the first leg. “This match was pivotal and often, it is the small details that determine the outcome. We fell short on two or three key moments.”

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Unlikely to Be Much Between Two Teams in Eindhoven

There are plenty of reasons for followers of the USMNT to keep a close eye on this game. PSV’s squad contains four Americans in Ricardo Pepi, Richard Ledezma, Malik Tillman and Sergino Dest, although the latter has not played this season after suffering a serious knee injury last year. Meanwhile the aforementioned McKennie and Timothy Weah ply their trade for Juventus.

The delicately poised nature of this play-off should also appeal to Americans and soccer fans anywhere. The first goal could be crucial. If Juventus get it, PSV would have a mountain to climb. But if the hosts were to draw first blood, Thiago Motta’s men would be put under serious pressure.

Juventus have been draw specialists this term. No team in Serie A has tied more games than their 13. In the league phase of this tournament, three of Juventus’ eight matches ended with the score level. No team finished with more draws than the Bianconeri.

At the odds available, it is worth backing another draw here. The first leg was close and we expect the return fixture to follow suit. PSV have the attacking quality to give Juventus something to think about, but they can be naive at times. A draw would suit the visitors to Eindhoven, so if the score is 0-0, 1-1 or 2-2 late on, Juventus will seek to hold what they have.

All things considered, a tie is the best choice from a betting perspective for the second leg of this Champions League play-off.

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How to Watch PSV vs. Juventus

• Teams: PSV vs. Juventus

• Location: Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands

• Date and Time: Wednesday, 19 February 2025, 15.00 PM ET 

• How to Watch: Paramount+