Chelsea vs Porto Prediction and Preview – 09/12/15
Champions League preview – Chelsea vs Porto prediction
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho could recall Diego Costa to the starting lineup after the Spanish striker replaced Oscar at half time on Saturday. John Terry is fit and could partner Gary Cahill in the center of defence with Kurt Zouma making way. Ramires and Falcao are back in light training but may miss out on the match day squad.
Porto are expected to name their strongest eleven with coach Julen Lopetegui’s only injury concern the former Southampton striker Dani Osvaldo. Porto’s goalscorers from the 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture, defender Maicon and forward Andre Andre, are expected to start despite pressure for places from Marcano and Tello respectively.
Possible Line-ups
Chelsea: 4-2-3-1 formation: Courtois; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Willian, Hazard, Pedro; Costa
Porto: 4-3-3 formation: Casillas; M Pereira, Maicon, Indi, Layun; D Pereira, Neves, Imbula; Andre, Aboubakar, Brahimi
Statistics
- Chelsea have won 3 drawn 3 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Porto have won 8, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Chelsea have scored an average of 1 goal and conceded an average of 0.9 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Porto have scored an average of 1.8 goals and conceded an average of 0.4 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Chelsea’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Porto’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Chelsea have history on their side having won their five home games against Portuguese opposition but those stats pale against the club’s current plight. The 1-0 home defeat to relegation threatened Bournemouth on Saturday was the latest in a set of worrying results that has also seen Crystal Palace, Southampton and Liverpool leave Stamford Bridge with maximum points. The problem is mostly up front and the Blues have relied on Willian’s accuracy from free kicks to pose the biggest goal threat in their Champions League campaign.
Porto could qualify with a draw but that would change if Dynamo beat Macabi Tel Aviv in Kiev. Lopetegui’s men missed the opportunity to seal a place in the last 16 when surprisingly defeated 2-0 at home to Dynamo Kiev on matchday 5 and must now get a result at Stamford Bridge where they have lost on each of the last three visits. They arrive in good form, having won their last three games and their last five away games in all competitions.
Porto have not lost a competitive match away from home this season and can keep that record going at Stamford Bridge, although it may not be enough for the Portuguese side to progress.
Tips
Under 2.5 goals at 3/4 with Marathonbet
Draw at 13/5 with Marathonbet
Correct score 1-1 at 13/2 with 888sport
What are your predictions?
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