Prediction: Porto vs Atletico Madrid

Prediction: Atletico win

Best Odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: 888sport

It’s been a long few months but we’ve finally arrived at the final set of fixtures in this year’s Champions League group stage. A handful of clubs are already aware of their fate, whether it be qualifying for the knockout stage, dropping down into the Europa League or being knocked out altogether. Porto and Atletico Madrid, though, still have everything to fight for when they collide later this week.

Porto

Porto have handled themselves really well thus far in the Champions League, as they tend to do every single season. They’re currently joint top of the Primeira Liga with an unbeaten record, too, which just goes to prove how much they mean business. They’ve got a nice structure throughout the core of their team and whatever happens, they should be aiming for a Europa spot at the very least – and an impressive last 16 run isn’t outside the realm of possibility, either.

Atletico Madrid

If this season is the beginning of five-round war, Atletico Madrid have been rocked pretty badly in the first and second. They’re in fourth place both in their UCL group and in La Liga and right now, they look far wobblier than they did at any point last season. They’re still capable of beating anyone domestically or across Europe, but it all comes down to how much they really want it in comparison to their Portuguese foes.

Factors to Consider

• In the reverse fixture, Porto and Atletico drew 0-0.
• Porto have won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six games.
• Atletico have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six games.
• Porto have scored 13 goals and conceded five in their last six games.
• Atletico have scored nine goals and conceded nine in their last six games.

Conclusion

At this point in the group stage it all comes down to grit, determination and who has the star power necessary to have that final push over the finish line. We think this is going to be a really back and forth clash between two sides who are regular fixtures in the last 16 but in the end, it’ll be Atletico who nudge their way past Porto with a late goal that sends shockwaves through the Group of Death.

Prediction: Atletico win

Best Odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: 888sport