PSV vs Borussia Dortmund prediction, odds, expert betting tips and best bets for Champions League first leg

After proving doubters wrong in the Champions League group stage, Borussia Dortmund hope to make good on that showing as they take on PSV in the first leg of their Round of 16 matchup in the Netherlands.

Dortmund were not considered contenders in this year's strongest group, but finished atop the standings despite the presence of PSG, AC Milan, and Newcastle. The German side are out of the Bundesliga title race, and therefore able to prioritise European play as they gear up for a tough matchup.

They meet Dutch leaders PSV who are running away with the Eredivisie league championship, sitting 10 points atop the standings. They advanced through to the UCL knockout stage behind Arsenal, with key wins against both Sevilla and Lens on the way.

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PSV boast the only two American internationals left in the Champions League group stage, with Sergino Dest establishing himself as a regular starter at full-back and Ricardo Pepi playing the super-sub role expertly. Pepi leads the Eredivisie with 63.8 minutes per goal, a mark which would be second-best in the Big 5 European leagues behind only Serhou Guirassy of Stuttgart.

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PSV are a strong side and must be handled with care, and any club brushing past them as merely opponents of a weak Eredivisie will rue their mistake. However, Dortmund are in good form at the moment, and while this matchup has the potential for chaos, it's hard to look past the stronger side at such solid moneyline odds.

The key for the hosts will be the performance of Johan Bakayoko on the wing. The 20-year-old has performed sensationally in league play this season with heaps of