Champions League: Just One More Step For Club

Club Brugge vs Porto

Champions League: Brugge vs Porto may not sound like the biggest or most glamorous of European ties, but in Belgium and Portugal it’s a huge clash.

And let’s not forget, in Madrid there will be plenty of nervous watchers too, as Diego Simeone’s Atletico are in serious danger of going out at the group stage, particularly if Porto can get a result on Wednesday. Club Brugges lead Group B on ten points, four ahead of FC Porto and six ahead of Atletico Madrid. The Belgian side has been the surprise package across the competition, dominating a group with heavyweights such as Atleti and Bayer Leverkusen, not to mention a strong Porto side.

Brugges have beaten all three and are the strong favourites to win the group at SBOTOP odds of 1.13, while Porto are second favourites at 6.00; and both teams are in good form as they prepare to meet in the penultimate round. But the hosts come into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw away to Union Gilloise while Porto lost a five match winning run with a 1-0 home defeat to Benfica.   

Talking Points

Brugges have been clinical

The Belgium champions have stormed Group B so far and they are the only side not to let in a single goal in the competition. They have won three matches and played out a goalless draw with Diego Simeone’s Atletico away from home. Head coach Carl Hoefkens has put together a strong and well organised unit with former Liverpool goalkeeper Keeper Simon Mignolet as the last line of defence and ex Fulham centre back Denis Odoi as a key figure in the back four. And this team has a serious attacking threat with former Barcelona striker Ferran Jutgla leading the line with six goals from 12 league games while Danish under 21 international Andreas Skov Olsen has also scored six goals in the league.  

Jutgla may not be in the running for the Champions League Golden Boot but he has scored two goals and two assists in the four games so far and, at 23 years of age, he has plenty of time to improve. Jutgla left Barcelona to get game time and Brugges are benefiting.       

And now Porto must be ruthless

Currently sitting third in the Portuguese Primera Division, FC Porto lost to Benfica at the weekend but they have been in superb form in recent weeks. They battered Anadia 6-0 in the Portugal Cup and beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in their last Champions League outing. And Porto have a brilliant record in defence this season, conceding just seven goals in ten games. Following his transfer from Club Braga 6ft 5in David Carmo has stepped in alongside Fabio Cardoso with club captain Pepe another stalwart of the back line. Up front, Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi has two goals and two assists so far. He bagged his brace with two second half penalties in the 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen and he is Porto’s best chance of breaking down the hosts.  

Head coach Sergio Conceicao has brought his side to the brink of success and Porto are now at odds of 1.50 to advance to the knockout phase, with Atletico Madrid at 2.80. But Los Rojiblancos are at home to bottom side Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday and are odds on at a price of 1.80 to take all three points. The last meeting between Atleti and Bayer resulted in a 2-0 home win for the Germans, but Leverkusen are currently struggling in 15^th place in the Bundesliga and Atleti will smell blood.

Porto need a result.    

History

Both teams have impressive records in their domestic leagues. Brugges are 18 times Belgian league winners and 11 times cup winners and were runners up in the 1978 European Cup, the forerunner of the Champions League; while FC Porto are 30 times Primera Liga winners and 18 times Portuguese Cup champions.

There is little to work on in terms of head to head Brugges vs Porto results as the two teams have met just three times, Porto winning two and Brugges winning the other, crucially a 4-0 victory in Portugal earlier in the competition.    

In terms of recent form the Portuguese side has the edge, with five wins and one draw from the last six games, while Brugges have won three, drawn two and lost one; and Porto have a winning streak of three matches away from home, scoring 11 goals without reply.   

Betting Tip

The Brugges vs Porto betting odds reckon the visitors could easily win this game. The hosts are at 3.30 while Porto are favourites at a price of 2.08. This is a finely balanced contest and as Brugges need just a point to progress, I think they will get over the line with a draw; and a 1-1 score line is the most likely outcome at 6.50.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.