Porto vs Barcelona tips and predictions: Spanish giants to win clash of Champions League winners

Porto and Barcelona is a standout fixture in the Champions League on Wednesday with two former winners of the competition going head to head.

The two giants of the Iberian Peninsula have started excellently in group H, a group in which it looks as if they will fight for the top position.

The Portuguese managed a 3-1 win at Shakhtar Donetsk and the Catalans managed an easy win at home against Antwerp (5-0) on matchday one.

Sergio Conceicao's team is facing the Spanish champions while they are still recovering from their 0-1 defeat to Benfica in the derby last weekend.

The defeat against their rivals from Lisbon, their first of the season, saw Porto drop to third in the table with 16 points from a possible 21.

The game is likely to be close, given that seven of the White and Blues' last eight official games had a close score.

In addition, both teams scored in five of Porto's previous six home games.

Suggested bet: Both teams to score

Barcelona won their last league game against Sevilla 1-0, thanks to an own goal by Sergio Ramos in the 76th minute.

Xavi's team is still unbeaten in 2023/2024, but they are in second place in La Liga with 20 points.

The game against Sevilla was the third consecutive game with a narrow score for Barcelona, a team that has been very efficient this season.

The Catalans scored 19 goals in eight La Liga rounds, where their matches are averaging 3.4 goals scored per game. Nevertheless, it’s worth remembering that the Blaugrana have recorded just three wins in their last nine official away games. 

The last time the two teams met was in 2011. Back then in the European Supercup, the Spanish team won 2-0, thanks to goals from Messi and Fabregas.

Porto and Barcelona have faced each other 8 times and the Catalan team leads 5-3 in head-to-head games. Barca have won four straight against the Dragons.

Suggested bet: Barcelona to win

When it comes to games against teams from Spain, Porto has 17 wins, 6 draws and 26 defeats against teams from La Liga.

On the other side, Barcelona have won 17 of 24 clashes against Portuguese teams, with five games ending as a draw. 

Porto are facing a number of injury problems. Conceicao was able to bring back right-back Sanchez, who was unavailable for the match against Benfica, but it is very likely that Pepe, Marcano, and Zaidu will be out.

Winger Veron is uncertain while Evanilson and Namaso will miss from attack. 

On the other hand, Xavi will miss Raphinha, who was injured against Sevilla. Frenkie De Jong and Pedri will be absent from the midfield.

• Sergiu Baltuta provides tips as SVB Tips on Tipstrr