Thursday Football Tips: Go Ahead and back goals at PSV

PSV Eindhoven v Go Ahead Eagles
Thursday 23 December, 17:45
Live on Betfair Live Video

Twas the column before Christmas and goals looked on the cards in the Netherlands.

OK, sorry for the intro but the idea carries some weight ahead of PSV Eindhoven's Eredivisie clash with Go Ahead Eagles.

Only leaders Ajax have scored more than PSV so far this season but the Eindhoven-based side will go above them in time for Christmas with victory here, this despite Ajax having conceded only four goals in their 18 league matches.

The defensive side of things has been much more of struggle for PSV - they've conceded 24 times in 17 games. That struggle is also reflected when looking at their home results with only one clean sheet kept so far.

At the other end though, the goals have flowed with at least four scored in four of their eight home matches.

Those games were all against sides around the Eagles in the current standings - Twente, Utrecht, Cambuur and Groningen - and each landed the over 4.5 goals bet.

A repeat looks a tempting price at 12/5 and the way to approach this contest.

The Eagles have already shipped five goals at Alkmaar and Cambuur this season and with PSV having won seven and lost just one of their last 10 in all competitions, they could be in for another tough night, despite defensive improvement of late.

Knowing they've lost their last 10 against PSV won't help either.

Both sides will be missing a few first-choice players but PSV creator in chief Cody Gakpo is fit and a player who already has nine assists for the season looks capable of unlocking the Eagles' defence.