The Philips Stadion in Eindhoven is set for a high-intensity showdown tonight, Wednesday, January 28, 2026, as PSV Eindhoven hosts German giants Bayern Munich. Kick-off is at 20:00 GMT (21:00 CET / 15:00 ET).
This final league phase match carries massive weight for the hosts. PSV currently sits in 22nd place (8 points) and likely needs a win to guarantee a spot in the knockout playoffs. Bayern Munich, currently in 2nd place (18 points), has already secured direct qualification to the Round of 16 but wants a victory to potentially leapfrog Arsenal for the top spot.
Match Information
| Feature | Details |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League (Matchday 8) |
| Date | Wednesday, January 28, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET |
| Venue | Philips Stadion, Eindhoven |
| Referee | João Pinheiro (POR) |
| TV Channel | Discovery+ (UK) / Paramount+ (US) / Ziggo Sport (Netherlands) |
PSV Eindhoven: The Playoff Push
Peter Bosz’s side has been dominant in the Eredivisie, leading the table by 14 points, but their European campaign has been a roller coaster. Coming off a heavy 3–0 defeat to Newcastle in Matchday 7, the "Boeren" are under immense pressure to deliver a result against one of the tournament favorites.
Team News and Selection:
Major Absences: PSV is missing key striker Ricardo Pepi (broken arm) and Guus Til (knee). Winger Ruben van Bommel and defender Anass Salah-Eddine are also sidelined.
Defensive Blow: Yarek Gasiorowski is suspended, which may force Jerdy Schouten to drop back into a makeshift central defensive role.
The Creative Hub: Joey Veerman will be tasked with controlling the tempo, while veteran Ivan Perišić provides much-needed Champions League experience on the wing.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Kovar; Sildillia, Schouten, Obispo, Mauro Júnior; Wanner, Saibari, Veerman; Man, Driouech, Perišić.
Bayern Munich: Chasing the Top Spot
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern has been a goal-scoring machine this season, averaging nearly three goals per game in Europe. However, they arrive in Eindhoven looking to bounce back from their first Bundesliga defeat of the season—a shock 2–1 loss to Augsburg on Saturday.
Team News and Selection:
Suspensions: The Bavarians are thin at the back with Kim Min-jae suspended.
Injury & Illness: Raphaël Guerreiro and Konrad Laimer are out with calf injuries, while Dayot Upamecano and Sacha Boey have been battling illness.
The Kane Factor: Harry Kane has 7 goals in 7 UCL games this term and will be eager to add to that tally to secure the Golden Boot lead
New Weapon: Former Liverpool star Luis Díaz has integrated seamlessly into the attack and is expected to start on the left.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Ito, Davies; Pavlović, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Díaz; Kane.
Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats
Historic Dominance: Bayern has won 6 of the 8 competitive meetings between these sides, with PSV’s last victory coming back in 1999.
Goals Guaranteed: PSV has failed to score in only 2 of their last 20 Champions League league phase matches.
Road Warriors: Bayern has scored 3+ goals in each of their five competitive away games since late November.
The "24" Line: Since PSV is only two points clear of 32nd place, a loss tonight combined with results elsewhere could theoretically see them eliminated entirely.
Tactical Analysis and Prediction
Expect a high-pressing affair. Peter Bosz will likely stick to his attacking philosophy, which could be dangerous against a Bayern team that excels at exploiting high lines. The battle in midfield between Joey Veerman and Joshua Kimmich will dictate who controls the rhythm.
Bayern’s defensive absences (Kim and potentially Upamecano) give PSV a window of opportunity, but the sheer firepower of Kane, Musiala, and Olise is often too much for even the best-organized defenses to contain for 90 minutes.
Final Score Prediction: PSV Eindhoven 1–3 Bayern Munich
