CLUB BRUGGE – PORTUS | Wednesday 6.45pm
On the one hand there is a team that resoundingly won the passage to the round with two days to spare. On the other, there is one that still has to sweat it all out. And it is not Porto, contrary to what one might imagine. Yes, Club Brugge, surprisingly, is already ahead, in a group where there are also Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen. The Belgian team got off to a great start and wants to end on a high note, perhaps with first place in the group that is still not certain. A draw against the team coached by Conceicao would be enough. But we are sure, from what we have seen so far, that the hosts will try to get the full haul.
A full haul that would also serve Porto, in view of the other challenge in the group, to be able to play on two results in the last round that will see the Lusitanians face Atletico Madrid, in what will undoubtedly be the match that will decide the fate of the group and decide who will go to the round of 16 and who will relegate to the Europa League. A point, given Atletico Madrid’s probable victory over Leverkusen, would be of little use to Porto, who would be forced to win against the Colchoneros in the last ninety minutes of the round. Now, however, to think that Conceicao’s men could walk away with the entire stake seems decidedly unlikely.
Mehdi Taremi
The Prediction
In a match that should give at least one goal per team, what could come out as the final result is a draw that would allow Brugge to toast first place in the group. And the Belgian team has all the chances and qualities to achieve this goal.
The likely line-up for Club Brugge v Porto
- CLUB BRUGGE (4-3-3): Mignolet; Odoi, Mechele, Sylla, Meijer; Nielsen, Vanaken, Onyedika; Buchanan, Jutglà, Skov Olsen.
- PORTO (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Zaidu, David Carmo, Fábio Cardoso, Pepê; Uribe, Eustáquio, Galeno, Otávio; Taremi, Evanilson.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
