Porto vs Chelsea Prediction and Preview – 29/09/15
Champions League preview – Porto vs Chelsea prediction
Porto have just the one injury concern ahead of this game, with Yacine Brahimi rated as doubtful. However, considering the importance of the match, if there is any chance he can play he probably will. Ivan Marcano is likely to get the nod over Bruno Martins Indi in central defence.
Diego Costa will return to the Chelsea team as his suspension is only for domestic league games. Thibaut Courtois is the only player definitely to miss out for Chelsea and John Terry could return to the defence in place of Kurt Zouma, who’s error cost the team a goal at Newcastle on the weekend.
Possible Line-ups
Porto: 4-3-3 formation: Casillas; Pereira, Maicon, Marcano, Layun; Neves, Imbula, Herrera; Andre, Aboubakar, Brahimi
Chelsea: 4-2-3-1 formation: Begovic; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Pedro, Willian, Hazard; Costa
Statistics
- Porto have won 5 and drawn 5 of their last 10 matches
- Chelsea have won 4, drawn 2 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Porto have scored an average of 1.7 goals and conceded an average of 0.6 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Chelsea have scored an average of 1.9 goals and conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Porto’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Chelsea’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Despite conceding a late equaliser in Kiev, Porto will be pleased with the start they have made to their Champions League campaign. Porto know that if they can pick up the odd point away from home, then their home performances in Europe are generally good enough to see them qualify from the group. The club have lost only 2 of their last 17 home Champions League games and those defeats came back in 2013. The recent 1-0 home win over Benfica will also give them confidence they can turn over the big teams at home.
Although Chelsea did well to come back from 2-0 at Newcastle on the weekend, it was still a disappointing 2-2 draw at a team who were really struggling at the bottom of the Premier League table. That being said, Chelsea are now unbeaten in 4 games and will be looking to keep that record going in Porto but it’s going to be a tough task against Jose Mourinho’s former club.
Chelsea are still trying to get back to their best and seem some way off it. Porto know they have a chance to defeat the Premier League champions and will be looking to take it.
Tips
Draw/Porto at 2/5 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Over 2.5 goals at 5/4 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Aboubakar to score first and Porto to win at 8/1 – Click here to bet with Bet365
What are your predictions?
Click here to see more Champions League previews, predictions and tips