Porto face major test as Manchester City begin Champions League campaign

Manchester City start their Champions League campaign at FC Porto on Tuesday, 8 September, with Enzo Maresca’s side priced at 1.75 to win at Estadio do Dragao.

The stadium will host a meeting between two teams who have made perfect starts to their domestic seasons. Porto, under Francesco Farioli, are the reigning Portuguese champions and have won five successive league matches, including a 2-1 victory over Moreirense. Manchester City have also won all three of their Premier League games, most recently beating Coventry City 1-0 through an Erling Haaland goal.

Mahamad Sangare, presenter of the sports debate programme La VAR on Burkina Info TV, has offered his analysis and predictions for the opening fixture.

Strong starts set up European contest

Porto return to the Champions League after missing the previous two editions, although their first assignment is against one of the leading contenders for the trophy.

The Dragons won their 31st Portuguese title last season, their first championship in four years, finishing six points ahead of runners-up Sporting. Their European campaign ended in the Europa League quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Nottingham Forest after a 2-1 aggregate defeat.

Farioli’s side have begun their title defence with victories over Alverca, 2-0, Rio Ave, 0-2, Arouca, 2-0, and Academico Viseu, 0-3. They then looked to maintain top spot by pursuing a fifth consecutive league win against Moreirense on Friday evening.

Manchester City, meanwhile, have begun a new era following Pep Guardiola’s departure. Maresca has taken charge of a team that appeared to be reaching the end of a cycle last season, when City finished second in the Premier League and suffered an early Champions League exit against Real Madrid in the last 16, losing 5-1 on aggregate.

The transition has been smooth so far. City opened their league campaign with a 2-1 win against Bournemouth, followed that with a 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace and then beat promoted Coventry to take sole control of the English championship.

The clubs are familiar opponents in Europe. They met in the 2020-21 Champions League group stage, when City won 3-1 at home before the return fixture in Porto ended 0-0.

Team news and key players

Porto will be without striker Samu, who scored 13 goals in 20 league appearances last season and has been sidelined for several weeks. Midfielders Sousa and Seko Fofana are also expected to miss the match because of physical problems, as is Polish forward Pietuszewski, who contributed three goals and two assists in the league last term.

The Portuguese side have retained several important players. Sainz finished last season with five goals and three assists, Froholdt recorded six goals and six assists, while Gomes scored eight times. Gabri Veiga has been the standout performer at the beginning of the new campaign, with three goals and two assists in the league.

Porto were active in the transfer market. They brought in Souza on loan from Tottenham, Gimenez from AC Milan and Seko Fofana from Rennes. Andre Silva arrived permanently from Elche, while Kiwior joined from Arsenal and Hwang from Feyenoord.

The club were unable to keep Mora, who moved to AS Roma. Ivan Jaime left for Las Palmas, Eustaquio joined Swansea and Gul transferred to Galatasaray.

City will also be missing two players. Matheus Nunes, who could have challenged for a starting place, and winger Doku, an important member of the squad, are both recovering from injuries and are expected to be unavailable.

Cherki has made an impressive start for the visitors, scoring twice and providing two assists in the Premier League. He is expected to become one of the central figures in Maresca’s system, alongside Haaland, who already has two league goals. Foden has supplied two assists, while Semenyo has one and could operate in the wide areas.

There has been substantial movement in the City squad this summer. Akanji, who spent last season on loan at Inter Milan, has joined the Italian club permanently. Goalkeeper Trafford has moved to Leeds, while defenders Ake and Stones have transferred to Fenerbahce and Inter respectively.

The midfield has also changed significantly. Rodri, Nico, Reijnders and Bernardo Silva have left for Barcelona, Newcastle, Al-Qadsiah and Real Madrid respectively. In attack, Savio has joined Tottenham, Grealish has moved to Everton and Marmoush has also departed for Tottenham.

City have recruited Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, Anderson from Nottingham Forest and Bouaddi from Lille. Winger Ndiaye has arrived from Everton, while Allan, signed from Palmeiras, and goalkeeper Rulli, recruited from OM, may find it more difficult to secure regular starting places under Maresca.

Prediction and betting options

Statistical betting options listed for the match include a Manchester City win at 1.75, both teams to score at 1.62 and more than 1.5 total goals at 1.66. The option for both teams not to score in the first half is priced at 1.21.

Sangare’s main prediction is a City victory at 1.75. He believes the visitors’ strong opening to the season could allow them to make an immediate impression by winning in Porto.

A Haaland goal is priced at 1.74. The Norway striker is expected to lead the line and is regarded as a potential key figure in City’s bid for victory; the prediction notes that he has scored three goals in three matches at the start of the season.

City are also backed to win at least one half, an outcome priced at 1.45. Their squad quality and ambitions in the competition are considered sufficient to give them the edge in one of the two periods.

The prediction also favours both teams scoring at 1.62. Although City are expected to have the advantage, Porto’s home support could help the Portuguese champions find the net.

The quoted odds may change.