- PSV’s approach under Bosz is to high-press, dominate possession, overload central areas and use high-risk, high-reward transitions
- Newcastle have developed a compact, flexible 4-3-3 system, which includes trigger pressing, quick transitions and disciplined central midfielders
- PSV won their last five matches in all competitions, including a 4-1 KNVB Beker win against Feyenoord and high-scoring Eredivisie victories
St James’ Park may suit Magpies, but PSV’s press and pace will be a problem
Newcastle and PSV Eindhoven meet for only the third time competitively in history on Wednesday, with the Magpies progressing 3-2 on aggregate in their 2003/04 UEFA Cup quarter-final.
But the friendlies they have played since are indicative of a modern-day game where the two sides have no animosity and little knowledge of one another’s systems, with tight draws and narrow wins for both sides not exactly showing the way to a winner.
That could change on Wednesday as both teams need points to be in contention for a top-eight finish in the Champions League, which would give them an automatic spot in the Round of 16 knockout stage.
This will be a real game of chess as PSV’s pressing and possession domination comes up against Newcastle’s reactive, trigger-based pressing and compactness.
Peter Bosz’s side are the Eredivisie leaders with 52 points from 19 games, having dominated the Dutch title race with their attacking style and squad depth.
Newcastle are in decent, but inconsistent, form
PSV’s possession domination will be tested
Newcastle will be fresher for this clash after the Magpies’ 0-0 draw at Wolves on Saturday, although their form across all competitions has been mixed in the past five games.
Eddie Howe’s side have won two and recorded a penalty-shootout FA Cup victory in their last five, while their defeat was to Manchester City in the EFL Cup semi-final.
The injury to Fabian Schär has forced Howe to be flexible, but his compact 4-3-3 system has made the team tough to break down, with Barnes and Gordon providing the pace to exploit spaces created by their opponents.
Barnes’ ability to create and score in cup competitions is a huge plus for Newcastle, who will need to grab a goal in this clash with PSV likely to dominate possession.
Bruno Guimaraes remains the creative centrepiece of the team, but he has also contributed some crucial goals and assists recently. PSV have some pace, power and poaching instincts in Dennis Man, though his fitness is being monitored after a recent knock.
Both teams to score looks likely
PSV have enough attacking depth to rotate for European nights with Couhaib Driouech and Guus Til among those to chip in for goals, but Ismael Saibari has been their breakout star in January after hitting a hat-trick against Feyenoord.
Both sides have been in good goalscoring form recently and both need the points to ensure a top-eight berth, so BTTS looks like a good bet at 1/2 with Over 2.5 goals at 19/50 also available.
Newcastle are the stronger home side and have the extra midfield creativity, but PSV’s high-pressing game and superior scoring form should give them a chance of getting something from this.
