PSV host Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday, September 10 (12:45 PM ET / 11:45 AM CT / 9:45 AM PT).
PSV go into this one without a clutch of first-team men: the injured Adamo Nagalo, Mikkel Bro, Kilian Sildillia, Dennis Man and Alassane Plea are all out, and long-term absentee Jerdy Schouten remains sidelined by a cruciate ligament injury. That shifts the attacking load onto Ricardo Pepi, who scored three last season from eight shots with six on target, Guus Til, who added two goals and created nine chances, and Ivan Perišić, whose eleven shots last term made him PSV’s most persistent threat from wide. Shakhtar’s own line-up news is unconfirmed for this fixture, so their expected approach will only sharpen closer to kick-off.
This is an opening league-phase fixture for both clubs, so there’s no form line to lean on beyond personnel. PSV’s attacking options give them the clearer identity of the two sides here, and with the visitors’ scouting picture thin in the data available, expect PSV to take the game to Shakhtar and look to make home advantage count.
PSV vs Shakhtar Donetsk: Best Bets & Predictions
Pepi, Til and Perišić lead PSV's attack as they open their Champions League league phase against Shakhtar Donetsk
Our approach: we lean on PSV's clear standing as favourites and their leading attacking numbers from last season, backing goals from the home side while finding value in a correct score that still lets Shakhtar find the net.
Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds may vary. 19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON).
Season Form & Standings
PSV and Shakhtar Donetsk both sit on zero points from zero games as their Champions League league-phase campaigns get under way, so there’s no table position yet separating the two sides.
Recent domestic form. Here’s PSV’s domestic form ahead of the European opener:
PSV · Eredivisie 2026/27
DWWWW
- 05 Sep – Ajax 1–3 PSV (A) W
- 30 Aug – Utrecht 1–6 PSV (A) W
- 23 Aug – PSV 5–1 Groningen (H) W
- 15 Aug – Excelsior 1–2 PSV (A) W
- 08 Aug – PSV 2–2 Fortuna Sittard (H) D
Potential Match-Winners
- Ricardo Pepi (PSV): Pepi scored three goals last season from eight shots, six of them on target, sharp enough in front of goal to fancy again here.
- Guus Til (PSV): Til weighed in with two goals and a team-high nine chances created last season, PSV’s clearest creative outlet.
- Ivan Perišić (PSV): Perišić fired eleven shots last season, more than any other PSV player on this list, and still found the net himself.
PSV vs Shakhtar Donetsk Prediction
With PSV and Shakhtar Donetsk both starting this Champions League league phase on zero points from zero games, the formbook offers little beyond PSV’s home advantage and the attacking numbers behind Pepi, Til and Perišić. We’re backing the hosts to edge it 2-1, with goals at both ends.