Porto will host Royal Antwerp in the hope of cementing second spot in Group H of the Champions League. The Portuguese powerhouses are second in the area with six points from three games. Antwerp are bottom after losing all three of their group-stage games this season.
Preview (Porto vs. Royal Antwerp)
In their first game of the group, Porto defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1. In their second game, which took place at home against Barcelona at the beginning of October, they lost 1-0. However, last time out, under Sergio Conceicao’s leadership, the team triumphed 4-1 over Antwerp. Evanilson scored a hat-trick for the Portuguese powerhouses in the second half. Although Porto is not going to be able to qualify this week, they would be in a strong position. If Shakhtar loses to Barcelona, Conceicao’s squad would only need to take one point from their next two.
The Dragons, who have accumulated 22 points from their first 10 games of the season. They are presently third in the Primeira Liga standings. In their nine previous matches against Belgian clubs, Porto had won six, drawn two, and lost only one. The 4-0 loss came against Club Brugge last season. Antwerp is participating in the Champions League group stage for the first time in its history. The Portuguese team has advanced to the knockout round in five of their previous six tournaments. Given the caliber of their opponent, it was always going to be difficult for the Reds to perform in this section.
After losing 5-0 away to Barcelona in their opening group stage match, Mark van Bommel’s team lost 3-2 at home to Shakhtar in their second game. Antwerp’s most recent match ended in a 4-1 loss at home to Porto. A win would keep them in the running for a top-two finish. A draw or loss would eliminate them from the competition. Despite only having 20 points from 13 games, The Great Old are now down in sixth place in their home table. However, they come into this game fresh off a 3-2 victory against Genk on Saturday. Prior to the group stage of this season, Antwerp had been playing well in Europe, winning six of their ten prelim games and only losing one.
Team News
Presently, Galeno, Wendall, Ivan Jaime, Zaidu Sanusi, Ivan Marcano, and Gabriel Veron are the six Porto players sidelined due to injury. For the home team, Pepe Aquino is anticipated to start in a wide position, with Evanilson lining up across the middle alongside Mehdi Taremi, who is presently the subject of intense transfer rumors. Due to Wendell’s injury, Jorge Sanchez will start at the back, with David Carmo and Pepe slated to start as the Portuguese team’s two center-backs. Regarding Antwerp, injuries will prevent Mandela Keita, Jacob Ondrejka, Anthony Valencia, and Bjorn Engels from playing in the match in Portugal.
Arthur Vermeeren, 18, will once more start in central midfield, but his future is still up in the air. Vincent Janssen, a former Tottenham Hotspur attacker has scored seven goals this season. He will once again be used in the final third of the field. Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who has scored six goals in all competitions this year, will also get a start.
Porto 3 – 1 Royal Antwerp
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