FC Porto vs Chelsea Predictions

• Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last eight games
• The Blues have seen under 2.5 goals in 10 of their last 11 matches
• Porto conceded just three goals in the group stage
• Chelsea have won 75% of their clashes with Portuguese sides in this competition

Big test for Tuchel

Chelsea’s 5-2 loss to West Brom was a shock to the system for Tuchel’s Blues. Since the German arrived at Stamford Bridge his side have conceded seven times in 15 matches, with five of those coming on Saturday.

Now Tuchel has to get his team back on track for a huge Champions League quarter-final. This was seen as a huge opportunity for Chelsea to make the final four, but after being shaken at the weekend they need to regroup quickly.

Back to basics for Porto

The tie of the last 16 saw Porto edge a thrilling clash with Juventus. The Portuguese side won 2-1 at home before progressing in a 3-2 extra-time loss in Turin. However, this Porto side aren’t set up to regularly see eight goals across two legs at this level.

Porto conceded only three times in the group stage – with all three coming in matchday one at Man City. The Portuguese side are a solid unit and they’ll look to make things tough for Chelsea. Sergio Conceicao’s men have lost home advantage with both games taking place in Seville, so as underdogs expect to see a very functional, unadventurous ‘home’ side.

Two even defences

Chelsea’s weekend shocker is more likely to be a blip than a sign of things to come. Before Saturday they had kept seven consecutive clean sheets, a run which included shut outs in both clashes with Atletico Madrid.

Their weekend defeat was also the first time in 11 games that the Blues had seen over 2.5 goals scored in a game. With Porto looking solid in this competition we don’t expect to see a wide open tie. Both sides are likely to set up with a solid base, so under 2.5 goals is our first prediction in this clash.

Chelsea played their clash with Atletico on neutral territory perfectly and we see them doing the same thing in Seville. The Blues have won 75% of their Champions League matches against Portuguese opponents (W9 D1 L2), while Porto have lost five of their eight clashes with Chelsea in this competition. Given that, a 1-0 win for Tuchel’s side is our correct score prediction.