Portuguese giants Porto are set to host German side Hoffenheim in their third Europa League game of the league phase on Thursday at Estadio Do Dragao.
The hosts are 24th of the 36 teams in the table with just one point from two matches, while the away side are 11th with four points and beat Dynamo Kiev 2-0 in their last match in the competition on October 3.
Match preview
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The Portuguese side were unfortunate to have not beaten Manchester United in their last Europa League game given they had come back from 2-0 down to take a 3-2 lead by the 50th minute, as they were denied all three points when Harry Maguire scored United's equaliser in the 91st minute.
Boss Vitor Bruno was not overly critical of his side in the aftermath of the draw and said that while United's goals came about as a result of mistakes from his players, his team were simply unlucky on the night.
Porto lost 3-2 against Bodo/Glimt in their first game in the league phase on September 25, a match in which the victors were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute when they were winning 2-1.
The hosts have had an exceptional start to their Primeira Liga season, winning seven of their first eight league games, with their solitary defeat coming against leaders Sporting Lisbon in late August.
The Dragons have won three of their last four matches in all competitions and have in fact lost just twice in their 20 most recent games, prevailing on 14 occasions.
Porto's home record is outstanding considering they have won 20 of their last 25 home fixtures, though they have lost two, drawn one and won just one of their four most recent games at Estadio Do Dragao in the Europa League.
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Opponents Hoffenheim come into the clash having convincingly beaten Dynamo Kiev, producing 19 shots and six efforts on target in comparison to the Ukrainian side's eight shots and one attempt on target.
The visitors drew 1-1 with FC Midtjylland in their first Europa League match of 2024-25, earning a point thanks to Max Moerstedt's 90th-minute equaliser.
Die Kraichgauer finished seventh last season in the Bundesliga with 46 points from 34 matches but are currently fifth last in 14th place with just seven points after seven matchweeks.
To their credit, manager Pellegrino Matarazzo's side have won two and drawn one of their last three games, but they did lose four of the prior five matches.
Hoffenheim's away form has been concerning for some time, with the club having lost two and drawn two of their four most recent games on the road, as well as losing 11, drawing four and winning just three of their last 18 away fixtures.
Team News
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Porto will be without centre-back Ivan Marcano, who has been unavailable since September 2023 due to a cruciate ligament injury, as well as defender Zaidu Sanusi.
Striker Fran Navarro is not scheduled to return until early next month, so expect Samuel Omorodion to start up front, flanked by Wenderson Galeno and Pepe.
Nehuen Perez and Ze Pedro may start as centre-backs, while Stephen Eustaquio, Alan Varela and Nico Gonzalez could feature in a midfield three.
Meanwhile, Hoffenheim will be unable to select Grischa Promel and Ozan Kabak until May and February 2025 respectively.
Elsewhere, attacker Ihlas Bebou is out until December, while wing-backs David Jurasek and Pavel Kaderabek, as well as midfielder Finn Becker, will make their comeback from injuries in November.
Midfielder Dennis Geiger and defender Florian Grillitsch are also doubts for Thursday's clash, so expect Kevin Akpoguma, Anton Stach and Stanley N'Soki to start in a back three, with Umut Tohumcu and Tom Bischof candidates to appear in midfield.
Porto possible starting lineup:
Costa; Mario, Pedro, Perez, Moura; Eustaquio, Varela, Gonzalez; Pepe, Omorodion, Galeno
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Akpoguma, Stach, N'Soki; Gendrey, Bischof, Tohumcu, Prass; Kramaric; Hlozek, Larsen
We say: Porto 2-0 Hoffenheim
Despite Porto having struggled recently at home in the Europa League, their overall form at Estadio Do Dragao is outstanding, and they should come into Thursday's game as favourites.
Additionally, considering Hoffenheim have numerous injury issues and have been poor away from home for some time, it would not be surprising if they lost.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
