PSV Eindhoven vs Shakhtar Donetsk Match Preview, Prediction, Timings, Lineups, Teams, and How to Watch

PSV Eindhoven host Shakhtar Donetsk at the Philips Stadion on Thursday, kicking off their 2026-27 Champions League League Phase campaign. The two sides last met in November 2024, when PSV staged a stunning comeback, scoring three goals after the 87th minute to win 3-2.

PSV arrive as three-time reigning Eredivisie champions but have endured a rough run in Europe, losing five straight Champions League opening fixtures and four of their last five home European games. Still, they’ve won four of five domestic matches this season, including a 3-1 win over Ajax. Shakhtar, playing home fixtures at Stamford Bridge due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine, have lost just two of their last eight League Phase games and are unbeaten in five of their last seven meetings with Dutch clubs.

PSV Eindhoven vs Shakhtar Donetsk: Match Details

Key Team News

PSV will be missing Alassane Plea, Jerdy Schouten, Sam Ouaissa, Kiliann Sildillia, and Dennis Man through injury, with Mauro Junior suspended. Ricardo Pepi, who scored a 95th-minute winner in their last meeting, leads the attack after netting three goals in five matches this season.

Shakhtar are without Pedrinho, Marlon, and Eguinaldo, while teenage debutants Bruninho and Ryan Roberto could feature. Kaua Elias, with three goals this term, battles for a starting spot up front.

Possible Lineups:

• PSV: Kovar; Dest, Geertruida, Obispo, Kostic; Sano, Fernandez; Perisic, Til, Van Bommel; Pepi
• Shakhtar: Riznyk; Karavaev, Bondar, Matvienko, Henrique; Ocheretko, Nazaryna, Gomes; Alisson, Elias, Newerton

Prediction

Both teams enter in decent domestic form, and this should be a tightly contested, end-to-end affair. PSV’s home advantage and attacking depth should just about edge it, snapping their five-match opening-day losing streak in the competition.

For the full breakdown of how the new Champions League format works this season, check out the official UEFA Champions League page. Football fans keeping tabs on broader sports and tech crossover coverage can also explore more match-day insights on TechnoSports.

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