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Football tips: PSV vs Rangers
0.5pts James Tavernier to be shown a card at 4/1 (Sky Bet)
Kick-off time: 20:00 BST, Wednesday
TV channel: TNT Sports 1
Home 1/2 | Draw 10/3 | Away 9/2
(2-2 on agg)
They do not come much bigger than this.
Remember the away goal rule was abolished at the start of the 2021/22 season in the Champions League, so the winner takes it all in Eindhoven on Wednesday evening.
The first leg was a thrilling encounter, PSV coming from behind twice to ensure it ended all square at the halfway stage. Luuk de Jong equaliser 10 minutes from time ensured a clean sweep for my colleague Jake Osgathorpe in his preview.
Despite the Dutch dominance in possession, the hosts created more at the Ibrox with each side hitting the target five times and the Gers creating two ‘big chances’ (xG greater than 0.30) to PSV’s one. The visitors were lucky to come away with a draw.
Once again though, it is PSV who are favoured by the bookmakers with Sky Bet giving Wednesday’s hosts an 82% chance of progressing.
What are the best bets?
JAMES TAVERNIER TO BE SHOWN A CARD is the bet at a tasty price.
The Gers talisman divides opinion across the different bookmakers, he is as short as 8/5 elsewhere.
Tavernier was the first player to be booked in the first leg and could be in line for another caution opposing Noa Lang.
José María Sánchez Martínez is the man with the whistle and the Spaniard does not mind flashing the cards, dishing out 36 yellows and a red card across his last five appearances in all competitions.
Tavernier is not notorious for bookings but given the magnitude of this clash it makes sense to gamble on a bigger price.
BuildABet @ 35/1
- Rangers to win
- Over 2.5 Goals
- James Tavernier to be shown a card
Michael Beale’s Rangers reign has been entertaining. None of the 36 games he has overseen have ended 0-0 and 39% have seen four or more scored. Goals should be plentiful in the second leg.
The visitors went toe-to-toe with PSV in the first leg, and while they had the home advantage, but Beale’s side look underrated to me in the match odds ahead
of the second leg.
Combining The Gers to edge a goal laden affair with a Tavernier card provides some interest.
Score prediction: PSV 2-3 Rangers (Sky Bet odds: 33/1)
Team news
PSV lost both central defenders in the first leg through injuries. Andre Ramalho has returned to training and could start here. This fixture comes to early for Olivier Boscagli who should be replaced by new arrival Jerdy Schouten in the heart of defence.
Despite a number of impressive cameo's from the bench, Rabbi Matondo looks set to miss out of Beale's XI on Wednesday.
Kemar Roofe is also expected to return to the bench after starting and scoring the opening in his sides 2-0 win at Ross Country on Saturday.
Predicted line-ups
PSV: Benitez; Teze, Ramalho, Schouten, Dest; Veerman, Sangare; Bakayoko, Saibari, Lang; De Jong
Rangers: Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Barisic; Raskin, Jack, Cifuentes; Cantwell; Sima, Dessers
Odds correct at 1455 BST (29/08/23)
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