FC Porto V Chelsea

Wednesday 25^th November – 19:45 GMT

Group D

FC Porto

Group D Position: 1^st

Group D Form: WWWD

This is something of a nothing fixture for both sides as both are through, although, there is still the small matter of deciding who finishes top of the Group. Whoever does finish on top should, although it doesn’t always pan out like it, have the easier draw of the two when the games are drawn for the last sixteen. To be honest, Chelsea won’t be too bothered if they finish first or second as they have the squad capable of beating absolutely anyone on their day, but Porto aren’t so fortunate as to have such an array of talent at their disposal and could do with progressing as far as they can, and a generous last sixteen draw could help them in their cause.

Athletico Madrid appeared to be Porto’s main rivals for a second place finish but Chelsea made sure that the Madrid side wouldn’t get a sniff. With Porto dropping just three points thus far, that coming in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, although it was back in England, Porto comfortably secured second place. However, the side that did them a favour in giving next to nothing away against Athletico Madrid – Chelsea, is now the side that FC Porto must beat in order to seize control of top position, albeit facing a tough trip to Athletico Madrid after.

For all those who can remember, Porto won the competition nearly six years ago, back in the 2003/2004 season. However, they were actually a tidy little force back then but they’ve been clinical at best in this seasons Champions League, with two of their three victories thus far coming by a one goal margin, both actually coming against the worst team in the Group on paper – APOEL. Porto did beat Athletico 2-0, though, in Portugal, and did manage to frustrate Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Match Day 1, losing 1-0, so perhaps they could be another tough nut to crack back at Estadio Dragao, the home of FC Porto.

The danger men will be Falcao, a Colombian striker who scored Porto’s winner on Match Day 3, a goal which sealed their berth into the last sixteen. While Brazilian, Hulk, was the biggest danger back at Stamford Bridge and was a right nuisance when Porto took on Manchester United at Old Trafford last season. He didn’t really show his true potential in the return leg against the Red Devils at Estadio Dragao so he will need to make amends against Chelsea on Wednesday night. Raul Meireles will be Porto’s main source of creativity and he is a player who we would pinpoint as the biggest danger man as most of Porto’s play goes through the Portuguese international.

Chelsea

Group D Position: 1^st

Group D Form: WWWD

Chelsea strolled towards early qualification from what was a tricky looking Group D, but that doesn’t mean Carlo Ancelotti has reverted his attentions back to league action. Chelsea will want to end the Group stages of the competition as Group D’s top dogs and a win in Portugal would ensure they do just that. Up to this point, Chelsea’s only win less game came in Madrid when a late Aguero stunner spoilt Chelsea’s pre-party celebrations. Previously, Chelsea had won all three of their opening fixtures, beating FC Porto (1-0), APOEL (0-1) & smashing Athletico Madrid 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have been on the road twice in this seasons Champions League, and both captured Chelsea putting in two unconvincing performances. They had to work hard and convert one of a rare few chances to beat Group D’s basement side – APOEL, while, although they were a lot better in Madrid, Athletico were still the better side throughout most of the game and asked most of the questions. Four points from six is still a fine away tally, it’s better than some English sides we could mention, but there is still room for improvement, and Carlo Ancelotti will be fully aware of this.

Carlo Ancelotti will be well aware that one more win would be enough to nail down 1^st position, and he will also have one eye on Chelsea’s last fixture with APOEL at home, a game which should be a three point banker. However, if he can get the job done earlier then planned then all the merrier and we expect to see a strong Chelsea side on that pitch on Wednesday night, although some will be given a welcomed rest. We would literally be guessing if we were to name players that might not play but Frank Lampard definitely won’t feature, Didier Drogba could also sit this game out as he has struggled with a rib injury lately. Jose Bosingwa has been ruled out for four months, pretty much all season, while Ashley Cole could also be given the week off after he recently made his return to training.

Chelsea boast one of the strongest defensive records in the competition but they go up against a team that have conceded just as little as themselves in Porto. Petr Cech has had his critics this season, most of them deserved, but he has been a consistent performer in the Champions League, conceding just two goals thus far, both of those coming in Madrid in that 2-2 draw. Porto, however, have yet to concede more than 2 goals in any one game this season, so perhaps Chelsea’s usual sharp forward line could actually be tested, for once!

Match Verdict:- Draw – 3.40 SkyBet

Chelsea played their first game without influential midfielder and goalscoring machine (A tad melodramatic) in Frank Lampard, at the weekend, and came through unscaved. The Blues’ did win in a comprehensive manner, 4-0, but it was against a poor Wolves side and it will be interesting to see how the likes of Michael Essien, a player who bagged two on Saturday, Deco & possibly Mikel, how they not only control the midfield but also how well they can get forward to help and supply the forwards. We don’t think they will necessarily struggle but they could be short of room, while Porto should be more than comfortable playing at home to enable them to take great strides forward. Porto have players which can strike a ball from anywhere and Cech has already shown his vulnerability from long distance strikes this season. A draw would be a fair result, one that would keep Chelsea in form control of top spot.

Match Odds:

FC Porto – 3.00 Coral

Draw – 3.40 SkyBet

Chelsea – 2.50 Boylesports

SoccerBetting Value Bet: 0-0 Correct Score – 8.50 Bet365