FC Porto vs Midtjylland prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-11 20:00.
[p]Porto are hanging by a thread in the top-24 of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) table and know that failure to beat Midtjylland would mean they face the prospect of ending matchday six outside the knockout play-off spots. With just one win in the league phase to date (D2, L2), Porto need to hit form quickly if they’re to ignite any small hopes of finishing in the top-eight, but one win from their last six competitive games (D2, L3) suggests that’s a huge longshot. [/p]
[p]They’re at least shaping up well domestically as they find themselves firmly in the Primeira Liga title race, but they need to transfer that form onto the European stage. Facing a Danish opponent could well help them do so, as they’ve lost just one of their last ten meetings against such opposition (W5, D4), a run which includes four wins from five at home (D1). [/p]
[p]Midtjylland find themselves in a much different position to Porto, as their domestic campaign has now ended for the winter, so they’ve had much longer to prepare for this clash. In fact, the only competitive games the Danish side will play between now and the end of January come in this competition, which could be a challenge for the two rounds after this one for a side only narrowly inside the top-24. [/p]
[p]They made a strong start to the UEL league phase campaign (W2, D1), but have since slowed with back-to-back defeats, although they did both come against sides starting this round in the top-ten. Porto’s league position marks them out as an easier opponent on paper, but considering Midtjylland have won just one of their ten meetings with Portuguese opponents (D2, L7), losing four of their five away, they’re unlikely to feel confident here. [/p]
[p]Key battle: Porto’s Galeno enjoys playing at home, contributing to six goals in his last seven home starts in major European competition (G3, A3). Aiming to stop him, Midtjylland goalkeeper ElĂas Rafn Ă“lafsson has made at least four saves in four of his last five club appearances. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: The designated home side has scored at least twice in all five of Porto’s league phase home games. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Chris Wilson[/i][/p]