Champions League: Bayer’s Recovery Will See Off PSV 

Bayer Leverkusen vs PSV

After a turbulent summer break and a shocking start to the new campaign, Leverkusen fans are finally seeing some stability at their club, and now they can look forward to their next challenge; Champions League: Leverkusen vs PSV Eindhoven.

Following the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, followed by a string of big name players, the club appointed Erik Ten Hag as manager; but the former Manchester United boss was potted just two games into the new Bundesliga campaign. In came former Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand and things started to pick up almost immediately.

A 2-1 victory over St Pauli at the weekend saw Die Werkself climb to sixth in the Bundesliga table and the first round of the 2025/26 Champions League saw Hjulmand’s men battle hard to pick up a 2-2 draw away to FC Copenhagen. And now they face a PSV Eindhoven team which sits second in the Eredivisie table and come into the game on the back of a 2-1 win over Excelsior. But Peter Bosz’ side is looking for a first point of their Champions League campaign after falling 3-1 to Union Saint-Gilloise in their opener.    

 

Talking Points

Hjulmand is a good fit for Bayer

Once Alonso’s departure from Leverkusen was confirmed, much of his 2024 Bundesliga winning team followed him out of the door. Playmaker Florian Wirtz went in a big money move to Liverpool, midfield enforcer Granit Xhaka headed to Sunderland and defender Piero Hincapie went to Arsenal. But Hjulmand has been left with plenty of quality in the team and, since his arrival Die Werkself are yet to lose. A clash with top four rivals Eintracht Frankfurt showed just how Hjulmand expects his team to play, with 100% commitment and intensity, and they went after the Eagles from the off. Alejandro Grimaldo opened the scoring on nine minutes and Czech hitman Patrick Schick added a second. Despite ending the game with nine men as skipper Robert Andrich and Argentine midfielder Equi Fernandez both saw red, Bayer ran out 3-1 winners against the top four hopefuls. Grimaldo scored a second and, alongside Schick, he is a constant threat. 

Leverkusen followed up that victory with the draw in Copenhagen, another stalemate against Borussia Monchengladbach and then the win over St Pauli. They are certainly on the right track under Hjulmand and the Leverkusen vs PSV Eindhoven betting odds say the Germans’ good run is not about to come to a grinding halt. 

 

Eindhoven’s summer signings have impressed  

Dutch champions PSV entered the Champions League with high hopes but they crashed down to earth when they fell to an unexpected defeat to Belgian side Union SG. Despite dominating the ball, they struggled to break down a stubborn opponent and were hit on the break by a team willing to shoot on sight. Ruben Van Bommel scored a consolation for PSV and the new signing has impressed for the Dutch side, scoring three goals in the league to add to his European strike. Goalkeeper Matej Kovar, on loan from Leverkusen, has been a commanding presence and he looks ready to start. Meanwhile, Croatian legend Ivan Perisic continues to show what a class player he is. At 36 Perisic still has plenty to offer, and his delivery and dead ball skills are still up there with the best.      

 

History

Bayer Leverkusen were Champions League runners-up in 2002 and UEFA Cup winners in 1987 and runners-up in the Europa League in 2024, the year of Die Werkself’s Bundesliga triumph. PSV have had success in Europe too, winning the UEFA Cup in 1978 and the European Cup in 1988; and their best effort in the Champions League was a semi-final place in 2005.      

These two teams have never met in the Champions League and their recent form is comparable. Die Werkself have won two, drawn three and lost one of their last six games while PSV have won three, drawn one and lost two of their six. 

But Leverkusen are one of the most formidable teams at home in Europe, winning 18 of their last 21 games at the BayArena, while PSV haven’t travelled well, losing six of their last eight Champions League matches on the road.   

 

Betting Tip

PSV can be backed at SBOTOP odds of 3.88 and the draw is at 3.99 with Die Werkself at 1.85. I expect the Leverkusen vs PSV Eindhoven highlights to show a story of home domination, as both clubs carry on their trends in Europe. 

   

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