BATE Borisov vs PSV Predictions

This is a potentially tricky away leg for PSV Eindhoven but the Dutch champions are the favourites to progress from this Champions League play-off round clash. They head to Belarus on Tuesday to take on a BATE Borisov side who have proved they are no mugs in recent years, with four group stage appearances in this competition this decade alone.

They’ve had to work quite hard just to reach the play-off round this term though and they are certainly one of the losers from this switch in format, which has seen more teams from the bigger leagues receive a direct passage into the group stage. They’ve beaten both HJK Helsinki and Qarabag by 2-1 aggregate margins but PSV should represent a genuine step up in class on those teams.

PSV meanwhile are entering the competition at this stage meaning they will definitely be playing in the groups of one European competition but they will be hungry to ensure it is the Champions League rather than the Europa League. Although they lost in the Dutch Super Cup, they’ve made a pretty impressive start to the new Eredivisie season by winning their opening two games.

This will be a different kind of test though and although the bookies make them clear favourites at around Evens to win on the night, there’s reason to think BATE can get a result. The side from Belarus have a strong record at home in European competitions. They are unbeaten in 7 home matches in the Champions League since a 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in October 2015. It’s 1 loss in 12 home Champions League fixtures overall and that does include games against the likes of Roma and Bayer Leverkusen.

Fitness-wise and certainly in terms of match sharpness they could have an advantage too. Their domestic league runs through the summer and they are currently 7 points clear at the top after 17 games. They’ve also had time to warm themselves into European action with those two qualifiers, whereas PSV have only played three times this term and might not be quite prepared for an intense battle away in Europe.

They don’t have good memories from playing in this competition two years ago and are actually without a win in 8 Champions League matches overall, while they suffered a shock early exit in the Europa League last term. A draw wouldn’t be a disaster for them here and backing BATE Double Chance looks like it could be the smart bet.