Wednesday 28th November 2000hrs Porto v Schalke Football – Europe – Champions League When the draw for the group stages of the Champions League was made back in August there were plenty of envious eyes cast upon Group D. A section where Lokomotiv Moscow were included as Pot 1 seeds was always going to provide a more likely route to qualification for the other teams and so it has proved. The Russian champions have not gotten a single point whilst these two sides are in a healthy position to reach the last 16. Continue reading for a match preview as Porto host Schalke with a best betting tip selection.
Porto remain unbeaten in this group with three wins and a draw so far. Since drawing 1-1 away to Schalke on match day one, the Portuguese club have reeled off three straight victories having done the home and away double over Lokomotiv Moscow and also getting the better of Galatasaray in a narrow 1-0 win. It leaves them sitting top with 10 points and only needing one point to make certain of their place in the next round. They are also in prime position to top the group, though, and their clash on Wednesday at home to Schalke looks like being the decisive fixture in the group with respect to that. They could barely be in better form coming into tomorrow’s game having rattled off eight straight victories across league, cup and European competition so confidence will be high they can get the job done and not run the risk of having to go to Turkey on match day six requiring to get something. It’s a marvellous job that Sergio Conceicao has overseen since arriving at the club in the summer of 2017, leading Porto to the title and leading the way once again domestically – but they appear hungry for even more success, this time in Europe.
I’ve alluded to in the past the difficulties teams have combining domestic commitments with European football and that certainly applies to Schalke. The Bundesliga club are no strangers to playing in the Champions League and an excellent second place finish last season ensured they would be competing at Europe’s top table once again. Like Porto, the Germans are also undefeated in Group D with two wins and two draws. Their victories have come away to Lokomotiv and at home to Galatasaray. They’ve also drawn with the Turkish giants along with that 1-1 draw against Porto at home in the opening round of fixtures. They have their fate in their own hands and a win from either of their last two games would absolutely guarantee their passage into the knockout phase whilst they could also lose both and still qualify. Their Champions League fortunes is in huge contrast to what is happening in the Bundesliga, however, where they sit in 14th spot and were perilously close to the relegation zone before a much needed win at home to fellow strugglers Nurnberg at the weekend. It’s a conundrum – and a very frustrating one at that – for coach Domenico Tedesco who is now in his second season in charge of the club.
Porto v Schalke Betting Tip
Schalke were slightly fortunate to get a draw the last time these two teams met as Porto missed a penalty early on before rescuing a draw when converting another penalty that was awarded with 15 minutes to go. It’s turned out to be a good platform for both to build on and whilst the immediate advantage lies with Porto due to their two point advantage, they definitely have the tougher game in the final round of fixtures so their need in this one is obvious. This is Schalke’s first appearance in the Champions League since 2015 but they have not lost on the road in this competition in their last four games, winning three of them. They will require another big performance in Porto however, as their hosts have won six of their last nine home games across the group and knockout phases which is a record most clubs would be proud of.
Porto and Schalke have dominated this group so far but there’s still work to be done as they close in on qualification. I would expect both to make it through to the last 16 and the most obvious way of that happening is with Porto to get the win they need to top the group which would then seen Schalke requiring a win on match day six at home to the pointless Russians – something they care more than capable of doing. Take Porto go get another three points at home.
Selection: Porto 87/100 @ Marathon Bet
