BORUSSIA DORTMUND just have the edge heading into the second leg of their last-16 tie with PSV Eindhoven after battling to a 1-1 draw in a tense Champions League clash in the Netherlands a fortnight ago.
I backed the Dutch side to progress to the quarter-finals before a ball was kicked but it's the Bundesliga giants who are now the favourites with the famous Yellow Wall roaring them on back on home soil.
It would be foolish to write PSV Eindhoven off though as they have only tasted defeat twice all season – to Arsenal in the group stage and to Feyenoord in the Dutch cup.
Just days after that draw with Dortmund, Peter Bosz's side smashed seven past Zwolle and they remain 10 points clear in the Eredevisie, having won 20 of their 23 games and drawn the others.
Borussia Dortmund's form has been more patchy and they lost 3-2 at home to Hoffenheim in the wake of that battling stalemate in Eindhoven. The response since then has been good though, with wins on the road against Union Berlin and Werder Bremen taking them up to fourth in the Bundesliga.
Gaffer Edin Terzic still remains under pressure though and the board will not be pleased if his side slip out of the Champions League places, with fifth-placed RB Leipzig just one behind them.
For now, the fans will want to keep this season's adventure going in Europe's biggest competition and their passionate backing could be key to seeing off the Dutch league leaders.
How the bookies view it
Borussia Dortmund are 4/6 favourites to reach the quarter-finals with BetVictor while PSV Eindhoven are now 13/10 with Coral in the same market. For a win on the night, the Germans are 57/50 with BetMGM while the Dutch side are 12/5 at 888Sport and the draw pays 13/5 with the same firm.
Head to head
PSV Eindhoven have yet to win in this fixture, with one Borussia Dortmund victory and two draws in the three meetings. It ended in a 1-1 stalemate when PSV last visited the Westfalen back in season 2002/03.
Players to watch
Donyell Malen came back to haunt his old club by scoring Borussia Dortmund's goal in the first leg. He has now netted five times in his last four outings so looks excellent value at 5/2 with Bet365 for another goal.
Most of PSV Eindhoven's chances in the first leg fell to Malik Tillman but the American left his shooting boots at home. The former Rangers loanee is 9/2 with Paddy Power for anytime scorer while he's a tempting evens at Bet365 just to have a shot on target.
Anything else catch the eye?
With the tie in the balance it could be a cagey game to start off with and that makes the half-time draw a good option at a best 29/20 with Unibet. McBookie also price a one-goal winning margin for either side at 13/10.
PSV midfielder Ismael Saibari delivered for me when I backed him for a shot on target in the first leg but I can't see any prices for him in the same market for the return. However, Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho is 26/25 to test the keeper, having scored in the weekend win over Werder Bremen,
Cards are always a decent shout in the second leg of a European tie as teams often become more desperate. Over 4.5 cards pays 13/10 at Unibet while PSV'S Jerdy Schouten is 23/5 with the same firm to go into the book for a fifth time this season.
This UEFA Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and PSV Eindhoven will be played on Mar 13, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Borussia Dortmund vs PSV Eindhoven prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
