Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to officially punch their Europa League quarter-final ticket on Thursday night, Porto will welcome Stuttgart to Portugal for their second-leg showdown.
Porto
Starting with the hosts, putting in an eye-catching performance over in Germany last week as they secured a 2-1 first-leg victory, Porto are sat in the driving seat to extended on their Europa League adventure here. Leading the chase at the top of the Primeira Liga table and holding a seven-point buffer in the race to get their hands on a first domestic crown since 2022, the Dragons have lost just a pair of their previous 21 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to December 4th. Looking to make another European statement in midweek, Francesco Farioli’s side have also gained a reputation for their extended dominance on home soil. In fact, Porto are unbeaten in all of their last 11 straight showdowns at the Estadio do Dragao (10 wins, one draw).
Porto Team News
Dealing with a long-term knee injury, Porto are expected to be without attacking talisman Samu for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign. Likewise, not featuring since back in November, veteran striker Luuk de Jong remains on the sidelines with his own respective knee issue.
Completing a permanent switch from Southampton last summer, Poland international Jan Bednarek will start at the heart of Porto’s defence. Bagging a first-leg strike over in Germany last week, January recruit and ex-Nice striker Terem Moffi will lead the line on Thursday night.
Stuttgart
As for the visitors, missing out on the chance to claim a first-leg advantage last week as they eventually fell to that 2-1 loss on home soil, Stuttgart have an almighty job on their hands here. However, claiming an immediate response over the weekend as they secured a gritty 1-0 victory against Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig, Sebastian Hoeneb’s side should be excited by their rugged success away from the MHPArena. Storming their way to a stunning 4-1 Europa League romp away at Scottish heavyweights Celtic last month, Stuttgart have lost just a pair of their previous 10 showdowns on the road – a run that stems all the way back to the end of November. Despite travelling to Portugal on Thursday night pencilled in as a real underdog contender, Die Roten should be confident of asking some real questions.
Stuttgart Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Stuttgart will travel to Portugal on Thursday night without the likes of Pascal Stenzel, Lazar Jovanovic and former Borussia Dortmund defender Dan-Axel Zagadou.
Embarking on what has become a sensational run of form and finding the net in all of his last four consecutive appearances across all competitions, former Brighton striker Deniz Undav will play a leading role in the final third. Reportedly attracting a string of heavyweight European interest, German international Angelo Stiller will start in the middle of the park.
Porto vs Stuttgart Key Factors to Consider
- When Porto and Stuttgart met for their first-leg showdown over in Germany last week, the Dragons claimed a 2-1 victory.
- Porto are unbeaten in all of their last 11 straight showdowns at the Estadio do Dragao (10 wins, one draw).
- Eight of Stuttgart’s last nine matchups away from the MHPArena have finished with over 2.5 goals.
- Former Brighton striker Deniz Undav has found the net in all of his last four consecutive appearances across all competitions.
- Porto have recorded a trio of goals in four of their last six matchups at the Estadio do Dragao.
Conclusion
Securing a rugged first-leg advantage on foreign soil last week, Porto are sat in the driving seat to punch their Europa League quarter-final ticket here. Gaining a fearsome reputation for their extended dominance at the Estadio do Dragao, the Portuguese giants have their sights set on mounting a genuine Europa League charge this season. Two camps who have gained a reputation for their lively outcomes, we could be treated to another enjoyable European tussle in midweek.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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