Sampdoria can snatch a point away to PSV
As much as we should perhaps pretend that Liverpool's clash with Steaua Bucharest (previewed here) is the Europa League fixture we're most excited about tonight, the truth is that PSV versus Sampdoria is the evening's standout tie, and brilliantly it's live on ESPN.
It's a collision between Dutch giants and a side unlucky not to reach the Champions League and it could go either way, as PSV have won 24 of their last 28 at the Philips Stadion, while Sampdoria's last four away days have produced a victory at Roma and draws with Palermo and Juventus.
The Blucerchiati will be daunted by PSV's impressive home record in last year's competition, winning all six of their matches in Eindhoven and keeping clean sheets in five, and the fact they have scored 17 goals in four outings in front of their own fans this season.
Domenico Di Carlo's men shouldn't be underestimated though. Despite the change at the top after Luigi Del Neri left for Juventus, star players have been retained, most importantly Giampaolo Pazzini (absent today) and Antonio Cassano, while Nicola Pozzi - who struck twice in Turin on Sunday - is showing promise.
It's also notable that despite their home success in the 2009-10 campaign, they were never hugely convincing, with all their triumphs coming by one goal. Their group stage opponents were the undaunting trio of CFR Cluj, FC Copenhagen and Sparta Prague, and they only won each game 1-0.
Our main recommendation would be to back the draw at [3.6] but those looking for shorter-priced wagers should consider laying PSV at [2.08] and betting on both teams scoring at [1.92], because between them they've kept just three clean sheets in ten encounters this term.
PSV Eindhoven v Sampdoria
Kick-off: 8.05pm
Live on ESPN
Open a new account now using this link and any losing bets from your first £30 staked in the initial seven days will be refunded!
Published: 16 Sep 2010
Leave a comment