Just like a week ago, the statistics offer PSV plenty of leverage to step off the field Wednesday as the winner of the duel with Galatasaray. The team of Head Coach Roger Schmidt and "European top scorer" Eran Zahavi has almost a 99% chance of continuing its path in the preliminary rounds of the UEFA Champions League.
98.9%
Based on past results throughout European football, PSV has a 98.9% chance of beating Galatasaray in two games with a 5-1 lead from the outward game. There is even an added advantage: because the "away goal rule" is a thing of the past, the Turks cannot directly eliminate PSV if they win 4-0 over Schmidt's team.
Zahavi at shot
Eight of the last 10 PSV goals in Europe were scored by Eran Zahavi. The Israeli striker scored his first hat trick in PSV service last week. The other two goals in the match were scored by Mario Götze. In seven European matches for PSV, Zahavi now stands at nine goals.
Follow-up route
The follow-up route has quite a few variables, but it is clear who PSV's possible opponent is. If PSV eliminates Galatasaray, it will play either Celtic or FC Midtylland. The first game between those teams ended 1-1. Should PSV still be eliminated by the Turks, the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League awaits. Opposition would then be St. Johnstone FC from Scotland.
Qualification in good hands with Schmidt
Incidentally, coach Roger Schmidt knows what it is like to reach the group stage of the Champions League via the preliminary rounds. The PSV head coach managed to reach the final tournament with Bayer Leverkussen in the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons.
