http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/PSV-c40281 Eindhoven versus SL Benfica – Europa League preview
It will be an intriguing battle between PSV Eindhoven and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SL-Benfica-c40542, when they will take on each other in the return leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final at the Philips Stadion on Thursday, 14 April.
PSV Eindhoven
The Boeren were disappointed with their poor show on the field in the first leg last week, when the Portuguese Liga outfit hammered them 4-1 in front of their home crowd. The Boeren were unable to play their own game and were punished severely by the Eagles.
However, the Boeren will still be looking to overturn their three-goal deficit on their home soil that seems like a mountain to climb for the home side.
Fred Rutten, PSV manager, troops’ morale was at rock-bottom after their last week's defeat in the Europe’s secondary club competition. The loss affected the Boeren’s Eredivisie form as well, as they lost two precious points in race for the title against
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SC-Heerenveen-c40463 on Sunday in front of their home crowd.
It looks like that Rutten would have to wave his magic wand to raise his side’s morale before the return leg. Rutten has to remain optimistic for achieving good result that could see them progress through to the last-four round of Europa League.
SL Benfica
The Eagles would already be thinking that their one foot is in the semi-final of the Europe’s secondary club competition. However, they still have to remain focused for the upcoming encounter at the Philips Stadion, as the home side will start the match
with aggression.
The Eagles have no chance of lifting the Portuguese Liga title this season, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 leads the league table with extreme dominance. However, they would be hoping to achieve silverware in this competition, as they have performed exceedingly well in their
Europa League campaign.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jorge-c19120 Jesus, the Eagles manager, is extremely pleased with his side’s good performances throughout the competition. He would be hoping that his side continue to stage superior show in their remaining European campaign and emerge victorious.
Team news
PSV Eindhoven
Rutten have to do without the services of his star striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ola-Toivonen-c28363. Toivonen was injured in their 2-2 stalemate against Heerenveen on Sunday, 10 April. Despite him, Rutten will have the full available squad for selection.
Probable Line-up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcus-Berg-c23815 and Balázs Dzsudzsák
SL Benfica
Jesus will have the full squad available for the upcoming encounter except Nuno Gomes. Gomes sustained a knee injury that has ruled him out of action for the remaining season.
Probable Line-up: Roberto, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oscar-c28720 Cardozo
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Balázs-Dzsudzsák-c7248 will have to score goals on every available chance if he wants to see PSV progress through to the semi-finals. He has remained one of the top performers for the Boeren in the ongoing season, scoring 22 goals in 43 appearances in every competition.
The prolific striker will be the key player if the Boeren have to achieve a convincing victory in this duel.
The Eagles gloves man, Jimenez Roberto, will have to restrict the Boeren from finding the back of the net. The energetic goal-keeper made some brilliant saves against PSV last week and will be looking to do the same in the return leg to see his side progress
through to the semi-finals of the competition.
Prediction
The Boeren are a very strong side in front of their home crowd, as they have lost only twice this season at the Philips Stadion. The match will end in a 3-2 win in favour of PSV.
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