This is the third season in a row that PSV and Arsenal will meet in European competition, having previously faced off in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) and last season's UEFA Champions League (UCL).
The hosts overcame European giants Juventus in the knockout play-off round to reach this stage of the UCL, winning 4-3 on aggregate after turning around a 2-1 first-leg deficit in Turin by beating the Old Lady 3-1 in Eindhoven.
However, their domestic form has been less impressive, as they have suffered back-to-back defeats to Go Ahead Eagles in both the KNVB Cup and Eredivisie.
Arsenal avoided a knockout play-off after finishing third in the UCL league phase, sending them straight through to the last 16.
It is famously a competition that they have never won, but arguably presents the best chance to win silverware this season after falling 13 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race following a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest last time out, which came after a shock 1-0 defeat to West Ham at the Emirates Stadium.
If the previous H2Hs are anything to go by, the Gunners could struggle at PSV too, having failed to beat them in their previous two visits (D1, L1).
How the bookies view it: Arsenal to bounce back
BoyleSports have Arsenal as 21/20 favourites to win and take an advantage into the second leg. A draw is the next likely result at 23/10, while PSV are given 5/2 odds to emerge victorious.
Recent head-to-head: PSV tough at home
These two sides met in the UCL group stage in 2023, with PSV earning a 1-1 draw at home. Arsenal battered them 4-0 at the Emirates, but the Dutch side should take some encouragement from their strong home performance.
PSV also beat Arsenal 2-0 on their own turf in the UEL group stage in 2022, while the Gunners won their home fixture 1-0. Nonetheless, the Philips Stadion has been a tough place to go for the North London club in recent times.
Players to watch: All about the strikers
With former Arsenal striker Lucas Perez ineligible to play in the UCL, PSV will rely on their trusted veteran Luuk de Jong to help them progress against the Gunners. The 34-year-old captain scored and made an assist in their 2-0 victory in the 2022 UEL group stage, and he is 14/5 with UniBet to score anytime.
Fellow Spaniard Mikel Merino could be used as a makeshift striker by Mikel Arteta again with few other options up front, and it would be interesting to see how he does in that position on a European stage.
Predicted lineups
Both teams are without several attackers through injury, with PSV missing Malik Tilman, Ricardo Pepi and Esmir Bajraktarevic. Left-back Mauro Junior is also doubtful.
Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus once more, while defender Takehiro Tomiyasu also remains out with a long-term injury. Myles Lewis-Skelly should return to the squad after serving a ban domestically.
PSV: Benitez, Ledezma, Flamingo, Boscgali, Malacia, Veerman, Schouten, Bakayoko, Saibari, Lang, De Jong.
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard.
Anything else catch the eye?
The last two H2HS at the Philips Stadion have produced two goals in each, so under 2.5 total goals at 4/5 is one to watch from BoyleSports. A PSV or draw double chance can also be backed at 8/11 with BoyleSports, as per the previous two results.
This UEFA Champions League match between PSV and Arsenal will be played on and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best PSV vs Arsenal prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
