Prediction: FC Porto vs Chelsea

Prediction: Chelsea to win 1-0

Best Odds: 9/2

Bookmaker: Betfair

FC Porto and Chelsea will face each other in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie this week. The match at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium in Seville is slated to kick off at 8pm UK time on Wednesday and promises to be a cracking game of football.

FC Porto

FC Porto may be the underdogs in the tie against Chelsea, but the Portuguese giants cannot be lightly at all. In the last round, Porto got the better of Juventus over two legs. The tie finished 4-4 on aggregate, and Sergio Conceicao’s side went through on away goals’ rule.

Winning against Chelsea will not be easy, especially as there is no ‘home’ advantage for the first leg, or the second leg for that matter which will also be played in Seville. However, Porto will take heart from the fact that they beat a Juventus team with superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in it.

Team News:

Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi is suspended for the match after being sent off in the second leg against Juventus. Sergio Oliveira is also suspended.

Chelsea

Chelsea got the better of Atletico Madrid with ease in the Champions League Round of 16. Thomas Tuchel’s side won both the legs to go through 3-0 on aggregate, and they will be quietly confident of getting the job done against Porto as well. The Blues have a much better side, although, like Porto, they will have no ‘home’ advantage.

The London club suffered a shock defeat at the weekend. Chelsea lost 5-2 to West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, and manager Tuchel will be determined for his side to bounce back in style.

Team News:

Christian Pulisic has been passed fit, while N’Golo Kante has recovered from his hamstring injury. Strikers Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud will travel with the Chelsea team as well.

Key Factors to Consider

• Chelsea have won five of their last eight matches against FC Porto, all in the Champions League.
• FC Porto have won two and lost six of their quarter-final ties in the European Cup.
• FC Porto last reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2003-04 when they won the competition.
• Chelsea have lost just once in 15 European away matches.
• FC Porto are unbeaten in 19 league games.

Conclusion

Chelsea do not tend to concede too many goals under Tuchel, and although they shipped in five against West Brom in the Premier League at the weekend, one should consider the fact that Thiago Silva was sent off in the first half. The Blues should be able to eke out a narrow win against FC Porto in Seville.

Prediction: Chelsea to win 1-0

Best Odds: 9/2

Bookmaker: Betfair