Antwerp vs FC Porto prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-10-24 19:00.
Despite it only being matchday three of this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) campaign, it feels like this upcoming outing for Belgian champions Royal Antwerp could be make or break for their Group H qualification chances. So far the hosts have lost two from two, the last of which saw them squander a two-goal lead against Shakhtar Donetsk (L 3-2), while Mark van Bommel’s men have conceded the most goals of any side (8) on their return to the competition for the first time since 1957/58.
Given that, a win at the weekend in domestic action would have been desperately desired, but a late 3-2 loss to Charleroi continued the hosts’ recent poor form. That defeat leaves them with just one win across their prior seven competitive fixtures overall (D3, L3), although a return to Bosuilstadion could prove welcome as they’ve lost only one of their prior 13 outings here (W9, D3), albeit with that defeat coming on UCL matchday two.
Visiting Porto will be hoping that they can travel to Belgian shores and add to Antwerp’s woes as they attempt to reach the UCL knockout rounds for a third straight season. A 1-0 home loss to Barcelona on matchday two will have frustrated the Portuguese side, but a prior 3-2 win on the road against Shakhtar saw them win a third consecutive away UCL group stage match for the first time since October 2007.
Each of those wins saw the Dragons score three or more goals, which included a 4-0 win over Club Brugge on their last visit to this country. That win further solidified their recent superiority over Belgian sides, as they’ve now won five of their past six such matches – which could prove a good omen here.
Players to watch: Vincent Janssen remains in good form for Antwerp, netting six times this season, five of which came before half-time. Evanilson has only made five Porto appearances this campaign due to injury, but he’s still managed to score three times. Remarkably, none of his 30 goalscoring outings for the club have ended in defeat!
Hot stat: Each of Antwerp’s last three competitive matches have seen both sides find the net and exactly five goals scored.