PSV Eindhoven and Union Saint-Gilloise will open their 2025-26 Champions League campaigns at the Philips Stadion on Tuesday evening.
Dutch giants PSV placed a respectable 14th in last season’s new-look league phase before reaching the round of 16, while Union Saint-Gilloise are getting set to grace this stage of the competition for the first time in their history.
Peter Bosz’s hosts have made a steady start to their Dutch Eredivisie title defence, triumphing in four of their opening five league games of the season.
The Red and Whites warmed up for their opening continental contest of the campaign with a thrilling 5-3 success at NEC on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Union Saint-Gilloise have been regulars in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League in recent years, however last season's historic Belgian Pro League triumph has seen Sebastien Pocognoli’s side bypass the preliminary stage this time around.
What's more, Union SG are yet to taste defeat in this season’s Belgian top-flight, triumphing in five of their opening seven matches of the season.
How the bookies view it: PSV to prevail
The bookies odds suggest that PSV will hit the ground running on Tuesday evening, with a home success trading at 4/5 on Boylesports.
Union Saint-Gilloise come into this clash as big underdogs at 14/5 on Boylesports while a share of the Philips Stadion spoils is an unfancied at 11/4 with the same firm.
Head to head: A first-ever competitive clash
PSV and Union Saint-Gilloise will go toe-to-toe in competitive action for the first time ever on Tuesday evening.
However, it is worth noting that the pair did face off in a friendly fixture back in July, with PSV claiming a narrow 1-0 win on that occasion.
Players to watch: Perisic to purr?
Having registered five goals and one assist across his six appearances in all competitions this season, Ivan Perisic looks a great value option in the to score or assist market here at 20/21 on Bet365.
With three yellow cards to his name already in this season's Belgian Pro League, Union's Ousseynou Niang looks like a prime candidate to pick up a card on Tuesday evening at 3/1 on Betfred.
In any case, make sure to check the odds for this game at other websites, including Betfred, along with our unique Befred promo code.
Predicted line-ups
PSV manager Bosz will be unable to call upon the services of injured trio Alassane Plea, Mauro Junior and Wessel Kuhn.
Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise have a clean bill of health ahead of their matchday one opener with PSV this midweek.
PSV: Kovar; Sildillia, Obispo, Gasiorowski, Dest; Schouten, Veerman; Perisic, Til, van Bommel; Pepi
Union Saint-Gilloise: Scherpen; Mac Allister , Leysen, Sykes; Zorgane, Ait El Hadj, Rasmussen, Niang; Giger, Khalaili, Rodriguez
Anything else catch the eye?
Given that PSV have plenty of Champions League pedigree to call upon, the Dutch heavyweights could prove too strong for new boys Union Saint-Gilloise on Tuesday evening.
The Red and Whites defeated the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk, Liverpool and Juventus at home in last season’s Champions League, which suggests they should have enough in their locker to get the better of the Belgians here at 4/5 on Boylesports.
Having averaged 6.80 corners per game in this season's Dutch top-flight, a minimum of six corners from the home side also warrants support at 4/5 on Bet365.
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