FC Porto vs Galatasaray Predictions

Galatasaray returned to the Champions League with three points, comfortably beating Russian champions Lokomotiv Moscow 3-0. Now they have to follow it up with a result against the champions of Portugal, as they visit Porto’s Dragao stadium on Wednesday. The hosts are aiming for a place in the last 16, but they only managed a point from their group opener against Schalke. However, solid domestic form has built up momentum for the home side going in to this clash, so can they use that to come away with three points here?

Porto are back at the summit of the Primeira Liga, after taking three points against Tondela on Friday night. That win didn’t just keep their domestic form going strong, but it left them with more than enough time to recover ahead of this clash. Porto made it out of their group a year ago, but their last 16 clash brought a drubbing at the hands of Liverpool. That’s left Porto winless in three European games, but they’re heavily backed to end that run on Wednesday.

The visitors have set the pace in Turkey so far, and their great start in this competition was a boost. However, that doesn’t mean everything is going their way, as an awful away record could hamper game going into this trip could point to a tough evening. Galatasaray are winless in their last 11 Champions League games played away from home (D2 L9), conceding 2+ goals in 10 of those matches (28 goals conceded).

Meanwhile, this clash seems like a good omen for the hosts. Porto have won four of their six games against Turkish sides in this competition (D1 L1). Having won their last two games, we think that the Dragons will step up here, especially as they have a great scoring record at home in all competitions. The only concern for the Portuguese champions is that their defence looks quite vulnerable.

Porto have conceded 13 goals in their last five European home games, as many as they had conceded in their previous 19 combined. They’ve kept a single clean sheet in their last seven matches in the Champions League, and their backline will be tested by a Galatasaray side who have scored in five of their last six group games. Given that, and the fact that the visitors have lost eight of their last nine trips in this competition, we’re backing Porto and both teams to score.