FC Porto – Antwerp : Preview & Prediction
After winning two of their first three UEFA Champions League matches in Group H this campaign (P1), the know that another win here puts them in good position to advance to the knockout rounds. With tough games against Barcelona and Shakhtar Donetsk still to come, the visit of Royal Antwerp, whom the Portuguese side comfortably beat 4-1 on Matchday 3, could be seen as the easiest route to another three points.
Porto returns to play at home after suffering a shock 1-0 defeat here against minnows Estoril Praia in the Liga de Portugal at the weekend, their first home loss at Estádio do Dragão since February. Given that the hosts have not lost consecutive official home matches since October 2008, alarm bells should not ring too loudly, especially when you take a look at their winning record in five of six previous UCL matches against Belgian opponents, a run that should offer a timely confidence boost considering what happened a few days ago.
Unlike the home side here, visitors Antwerp picked up a big domestic win at the weekend by beating Genk 3-2 at home to climb back up the Belgian Pro League standings. However, that win was only their third success in their last 11 games (E3, P5), and Mark Van Bommel’s side continues to be hampered by their defensive frailties.
Their back line has been particularly exposed on their return to the UCL, having lost all three of their Group H matches so far, conceding 12 goals in the process, the most of any team in the competition. In their previous away loss to Barcelona on matchday 1 (5-0) they conceded three goals in the first 25 minutes, so Van Bommel’s message to his team will be clear; his players need to hold on much more this time around.
Players to watch: Ahead of this matchday, Porto’s Evanilson sits as the joint top scorer in the UCL with three goals to his name, all coming in the clash between the two sides on Matchday 3. For Antwerp, Vincent Janssen has been their main threat, scoring seven goals this season and the last three before the 20th minute.
Key stat: Both teams have scored in just one of Porto’s last seven games.
FC Porto – Antwerp : Betting Tips
FC Porto – Win Odds: 1.35
