Prediction: Porto vs Manchester City

Prediction: Manchester City win

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: 888sport

The hectic nature of European football this season means that we are once again gearing up for another week of UEFA Champions League action. We’re half way through the group stage now and many groups already seem to have a clear direction in terms of who will qualify, with the same being true for Group C. Today, we’re going to preview the impending clash between two sides that are separated by one place and just three points – Porto and Manchester City.

Porto

In addition to being placed six points behind Sporting Lisbon in the Primeira Liga, Porto also know that they need to build up some momentum in the last few games of the group before they make their way into the knockout stage. The kings of Portugal have long since been remembered as the team that had a miraculous one-off win in the final back in 2004, but there’s a clear desire to try and replicate those scenes over the course of the next few years.

Team News

Uribe is expected to be fit enough to feature in this game, however, Grujic is suspended after his red card against Marseille. Elsewhere, Pepe is still suffering from a foot problem with Marega being tipped to return.

Manchester City

Now that Pep Guardiola has committed to staying at the Etihad, it does feel like his primary goal will be to bring the European Cup over to the blue side of Manchester for the very first time. Perhaps signing Lionel Messi next summer is going to serve as a key piece of the puzzle in those plans but either way, they are in a pretty positive position in this season’s competition as just one of three clubs to have won all four of their group stage games so far.

Team News

Aguero is a doubt for this game with a knee issue, although Ake is fit and available to play after recovering from his hamstring problem and Laporte should return after being rested against Burnley.

Factors to Consider

• Man City beat Porto 3-1 in the reverse fixture back in October.
• Porto have won five and lost one of their last six games.
• Man City have won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six games.
• Porto have scored 13 goals and conceded four in their last six games.
• Man City have scored 11 goals and conceded three in their last six games.

Conclusion

While Porto have certainly shown improvements since their last meeting with City, we just don’t think it’s going to be enough to overturn the huge gulf in quality between the two sides. We’re expecting Porto to start off like a house on fire as they did in the reverse fixture, but instead of sitting back on the lead, they’ll go in for the kill – which will invite the wave of pressure that we all know Manchester City can serve up. We’re going with a 3-1 win for Pep’s men, replicating their last encounter in the process.

Prediction: Manchester City win

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: 888sport