The Matchday 1 clash in 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 team's best achievement in the Champions League was reaching the semi-finals in the 2004/05 season. Notably, PSV has not lost 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.
- The team has not lost at home in 11 of their last 12 matches in this tournament (7 wins, 4 draws).
- In 6 of their last 8 home matches in the Champions League, PSV has conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals.
Predicted lineup for PSV (3-5-2)
Matej Kovar – Sergiño Dest, Ryan Flamingo, Anass Salah-Eddine – Jerdy Schouten, Joey Veerman, Ismael Saibari, Ruben van Bommel, Guus Til – Ivan Perisic, Ricardo Pepi.
Defenders Mauro Junior, Kilian Sildillia, and forward Alassane Pléa are injured.
Union
The Belgians also won their national championship, marking their third title in the last five seasons. In previous attempts, the club was eliminated in the early stages of the Champions League. However, Belgium's improved UEFA ranking allowed Union to avoid qualification and reach the Champions League group stage for the first time in their history. Their last European campaign was in the Europa League, where they finished 21st in the group and were knocked out by Ajax in the playoffs. Union has not lost in 5 of their last 7 Europa League matches (4 wins, 1 draw).
- The club has scored in 6 of their last 7 Europa League games.
- Union has not drawn in their last 8 away matches in European competitions (4 wins, 4 losses).
- In their last 5 away Europa League matches, the club has not conceded more than two goals.
Predicted lineup for Union (3-5-2)
Kjell Scherpen – Fedde Leysen, Kevin Mac Allister, Ross Sykes – Anouar Ait El Hadj, Anan Khalaili, Adem Zorgane, Rob Schoofs, Ousseynou Niang – Kevin Rodrigues, David Promise.
Forward Raul Floruc is suspended. Midfielders Kamil Van de Perre and Sofiane Boufal, along with forward Mohamed Fuseini, are 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 last Champions League campaign, PSV suffered their biggest defeat in the tournament, losing 1-7 to Arsenal, ending an 11-match unbeaten home run in the Champions League (7 wins, 4 draws). The desire to restore their reputation will motivate Peter Bosz's team. PSV favors an attacking style, having scored in 12 consecutive home matches in the Champions League, although they managed to keep a clean sheet in only two of those games.
Union lost both of their away matches in the Champions League, conceding exactly 3 goals in each. Even in lower-tier tournaments, Union struggles away from home, failing to win in 6 of their last 8 Europa League matches (1 draw, 5 losses). Facing tougher opponents will be challenging for the team, especially as they lack defensive solidity, having conceded in 6 of their last 8 Europa League games. However, they have also scored in 5 of those matches.
I believe the hosts will not lose in a high-scoring match. My prediction: PSV will not lose and Total over 2.5 goals
