PSV vs. Leicester Predictions: Quarter-final clash could go the distance

Leicester City travel to the Netherlands on Thursday (5.45pm) bidding to book their place in the Europa Conference League semi-finals. Leicester were held to a goalless draw by PSV in the first-leg, but something has got to give in Eindhoven...

It’s a pivotal point in the season for PSV who are still in the running for a treble: they’re a win away from a Europa League Conference semi-final, face Ajax in the Dutch Cup final on Sunday, and are fighting it out with the same opponents for Eredivisie glory.

Given that they are still competing for three trophies, it’s no surprise that PSV are in great form right now. Roger Schmidt’s side are unbeaten in 15 matches in all competitions - featuring 11 wins - are yet to lose in five Europa Conference League games, and have won six of their last seven games on home soil.

Inconsistency has been a thorn in the side of Leicester all season, yet they can draw confidence from registering six wins from their last 10 games. Plus, they still have the opportunity to win silverware for the second successive season, although they face a difficult task in Holland.

PSV are the evens favourites to win in 90 minutes and 13/19 to qualify. Leicester are priced at 31/10 to triumph in normal time and 13/8 to progress through to the last-four. A draw can be backed at 27/10.

After a hard-fought draw in the Midlands, we're expecting another tense and competitive affair in the second-leg on Thursday night, with extra-time a real possibility.

As touched upon, PSV are very difficult to beat having gone 15 games without a defeat. They have been solid at home too, keeping clean sheets in five of their last six games in front of their own fans. 

Three of PSV's five Conference League matches have ended all-square, whereas Leicester have lost just twice in 10 games and drawn two of their last three.

With a prized place in the semi-finals up for grabs we don't expect this clash to be a wide-open contest. It has the potential to go the distance which makes a draw at 90 minutes stand-out at a best-priced 27/10 with SBK.

​​PSV sensation Cody Gakpo is enjoying an outstanding season, registering 32 goal involvements in 40 matches: 17 goals and 15 assists. The 22-year-old has seven goals in European competition, including three in the Conference League.

As a result, his name has become a frequent presence in the transfer rumour mill, with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Barcelona all reportedly keeping tabs on the Dutch star who is valued at over £40m. The versatile attacker can be employed as a forward or winger and is just as happy finding the back of the net as he is assisting his teammates, reflected in his aforementioned attacking returns.

Gakpo was surprisingly quiet in the first-leg, yet he has the capacity to burst into life back in the more familiar surroundings at the Philips Stadion. He’s priced at 5/4 (Paddy Power) to either score or assist on Thursday for the 22nd time this season, while he’s worth a look at 12/5 to score anytime and 7/1 to open the scoring.