Porto are set to play Chelsea at the Estadio
Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Wednesday for the first leg of the quarter-final of
the UEFA Champions League.
Porto come into this game on the back of a 2-1 win over Daniel
Ramos’ Santa Clara yesterday in the Primeira Liga. Second-half goals Portugal
international Sergio Oliveira and Spanish forward Toni Martinez ensured victory
for Sergio Conceicao’s Porto. Brazilian forward Carlos scored the consolation
goal for Santa Clara.
Chelsea, on the other hand, lost 5-2 to Sam Allardyce’s West
Bromwich Albion on Saturday in the English Premier League. A first-half brace
from Brazilian midfielder Matheus Pereira, a second-half brace from attacker
Callum Robinson and a goal from Senegalese striker Mbaye Diagne sealed the deal
for West Bromwich Albion.
United States of America international Christian Pulisic and
midfielder Mason Mount scored the consolation goals for Chelsea, who had
experienced Brazilian centre-back Thiago Silva sent off in the first-half.
Chelsea vs Porto Head-to-Head
In eight head-to-head encounters between the two sides, Chelsea
holds a clear advantage. They have won five games, lost two, and drawn one.
The two clubs last faced each other in
2015 in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. Chelsea beat Porto 2-0,
courtesy of an own goal from Spanish defender Ivan Marcano and a goal from
Brazilian winger Willian, now at Arsenal.
Porto form guide in the Primeira Liga:
W-W-W-W-D
Chelsea form guide in the English Premier League: L-D-W-W-D
Porto vs Chelsea Team News
Porto
Porto will be without young Senegalese goalkeeper Mouhamed Mbaye,
while there are doubts over the availability of Spanish defender Ivan Marcano.
Iran international Mehdi Taremi and Portuguese midfielder Sergio Oliveira are
both suspended.
Injured: Mouhamed Mbaye
Doubtful: Ivan Marcano
Suspended: Mehdi Taremi, Sergio Oliveira
Chelsea
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will be unable to call
upon the services of French midfielder N’Golo Kante, who is nursing an injury.
There are doubts over the availability of winger Christian Pulisic and striker
Tammy Abraham.
Injured: N’Golo Kante
Doubtful: Christian Pulisic, Tammy Abraham
Suspended: None
Porto vs Chelsea Predicted XI
Porto Predicted XI (4-4-2): Agustin Marchesin,
Wilson Manafa, Chancel Mbemba, Pepe, Zaidu Sanusi, Jesus Corona, Marko Grujic,
Mateus Uribe, Otavio, Moussa Marega, Toni Martinez
Chelsea Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Edouard Mendy,
Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma, Reece James, Jorginho, Mateo
Kovacic, Marcos Alonso, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Timo Werner
Porto vs Chelsea Prediction
Porto beat Juventus in the Round of 16, but will be missing
some key players. Midfielder Sergio Oliveira and attacker Mehdi Taremi could
prove to be crucial absences for Sergio Conceicao’s side.
Chelsea, on the other hand, were shocked 5-2 by West
Bromwich Albion on Saturday, and will be keen to get back to winning ways.
Given their talent in the squad, Thomas Tuchel’s men are regarded by many as
the dark horses in this season’s competition.
Chelsea will be the favourites to win here.
Prediction: Porto 1-2 Chelsea
No comments