The Matchday 1 clash of the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between PSV (Netherlands) and Union (Belgium) will take place on September 16 at the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven. PSV vs. Union: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
PSV
The club won the last Dutch championship and secured a spot in the Champions League group stage. PSV will participate in the main round of this tournament for the third consecutive time, having reached the round of 16 in the previous two editions. The Dutch side's best achievement in the Champions League is reaching the semifinals in the 2004/05 season. Notably, PSV has avoided defeat in 8 of their last 11 Champions League games (5 wins, 3 draws).
- At least three goals have been scored in PSV's last 6 Champions League matches.
- At home in this tournament, the team has not lost in 11 of their last 12 matches (7 wins, 4 draws).
- In 6 of their last 8 home games in the Champions League, the Dutch team conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals.
Predicted lineup for PSV (4-5-1)
Matej Kovar – Sergiño Dest, Ryan Flamingo, Kilian Sildillia, Jarek Gasiorowski – Jerdy Schouten, Joey Veerman, Ismael Saibari, Ruben van Bommel, Guus Til – Ivan Perisic.
Defenders Mauro Junior, Armando Obispo, and forward Alassane Plea are injured.
Union
The Belgians also won their national championship, marking their third title in the last five seasons. The club's previous attempts to reach the main stage of the Champions League ended in the first rounds. However, Belgium's UEFA ranking has improved, allowing Union to bypass qualification and enter the Champions League group stage for the first time in their history. In their last European campaign, Union finished 21st in the Europa League group stage and was eliminated by Ajax in the playoffs. Nevertheless, the Belgians avoided defeat in 5 of their last 7 Europa League matches (4 wins, 1 draw).
- The club scored in 6 of their last 7 Europa League games.
- Union has not drawn in their last 8 away European matches (4 wins, 4 losses).
- In their last 5 away games in the Europa League, the club has not conceded more than two goals.
Predicted lineup for Union (3-4-3)
Kjell Scherpen – Fedde Leysen, Christian Burgess, Ross Sykes – Anouar Ait-El-Hadj, Anan Khalaili, Adem Zorgane, Mathias Rasmussen – Kevin Rodrigues, Ousseynou Niang, Promise Akinpelu.
Forward Raul Floruc is suspended. Midfielder Sofiane Boufal is injured.
Referee
Anthony Taylor (England)
Matches – 16 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 66;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.1;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 25%.
PSV vs. Union: Match Prediction
In their previous Champions League campaign, the Dutch side suffered their heaviest defeat in this tournament, losing 1-7 to Arsenal, ending an 11-match unbeaten home run in the Champions League (7 wins, 4 draws). The desire to redeem themselves in front of their fans will be an additional motivation for Peter Bosz's team. PSV favors attacking football, having scored in 12 consecutive home Champions League matches, but only managed to keep a clean sheet in two of those games.
The Belgians lost both away matches in the Champions League, conceding exactly 3 goals in each. Even in the lower-tier tournament, Union shows weak away results, failing to win 6 of their last 8 Europa League matches (1 draw, 5 losses). Facing stronger opponents will be challenging for Sebastian Pocognoli's team, especially given their unreliable defense, conceding in 6 of their last 8 Europa League games. However, they have scored in 5 of those matches.
I believe the hosts will not lose in a high-scoring match. My prediction: PSV not to lose and Total over 2.5 goals
