FC Porto go in search of their first win in Group B of the UEFA Champions League as they host Club Brugge on Tuesday. Home form is likely to be pivotal in their quest to progress from the group and the Portuguese champions are expected to have the upper hand here.
FC Porto would have been disappointed to come away empty handed from their opening fixture against Atletico Madrid. They looked to have earned a point following Mateus Uribe’s injury time penalty but somehow conceded a late winner.
While the result was disappointing, manager Sergio Conceicao will take some positives from the overall performance. They frustrated the Spanish giants for much of the contest and also had a few chances of their own.
FC Porto will be keen to return to the Estadio Do Dragao where they have a 100% record this season. They have won all three of their home matches this term, conceding just once in that run.
Club Brugge were generally considered the weakest team in the group but are now the only side with a win. They triumphed beat Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 in their opening fixture with Loubahde Sylla’s effort just before the break proving the difference.
That result maintains an overall impressive start to the campaign for Club Brugge, who have suffered just one defeat across all competitions this season. They have won their last six matches, including a 2-0 victory at RFC Seraing in a First Division fixture last Saturday.
While Club Brugge have been in good form this season, their overall record in the Champions League is a bit underwhelming. The win over Leverkusen was the first victory in six matches in the competition for Carl Hoefkens’ team.
How the bookies view it
FC Porto are considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies with a home win priced at 21/50 by Unibet. A victory for Club Brugge is valued at 8/1 with bet365 while a draw is set at odds of 18/5 with William Hill.
Head to head
FC Porto and Club Brugge met twice during the group stage of the 2016-17 Champions League with the Portuguese giants winning both matches. They won 2-1 in Belgium before claiming a 1-0 victory at home.
Players to watch
FC Porto are without suspended striker Mehdi Taremi but still boast enough attacking quality to trouble Club Brugge. Evanilson and Toni Martinez have also impressed this season and can ensure the hosts produce over 1.5 goals on Tuesday at 1/2 with Paddy Power.
An often-overlooked part of FC Porto’s play is their solid defence which has kept clean sheets in two of their last three home matches. Veteran centre-back Pepe often partners David Carmo and both men can lead the hosts to a clean sheet at evens with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
FC Porto have won to nil in their last two home matches and could be set for a similar outcome on Tuesday at 11/8 with bet365. The Portuguese giants are expected to be comfortable in this one, so a -1 handicap can also be considered at 6/5 with Paddy Power.
Porto have scored in both halves in their last three home matches and could be set for a repeat at 5/4 with Unibet.
This UEFA Champions League match between FC Porto and Club Brugge will be played on Sep 13, 2022 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best FC Porto vs Club Brugge prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
I believe club brugge should find the back of the net with atleast a goal considering their form in recent time.
I will back 12& GG.