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FC Porto will welcome FC Barcelona to the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday as the two sides go one-on-one in the second match of the UEFA Champions League Group H action. The clash will kick off at 19:00 GMT.

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Key Highlights

Can Porto Bounce Back from the Defeat at Benfica and Win their Second Group H Match

Porto warmed up for the home clash against La Liga champions Barcelona with a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to rivals Benfica on Friday. The defeat was Porto’s first this season after starting the opening seven rounds of fixtures with six wins and a draw.

Sérgio Conceição will look to motivate his side and get them into a good frame of mind to move on from their defeat at Benfica and get ready for the visit of Barcelona.

Porto need to improve their potency in the final third after managing to score 10 goals, which is seven goals behind Benfica and Boavista (with 17 scored) and eight behind Braga (with 18 goals scored). Their six goals conceded show that they have some solidity in their play.

Sérgio Conceição will need to find the best combination to allow them to retain their solidity and compactness against a good attacking Barcelona side without sacrificing their ability to attack and create chances.

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Can Barcelona Extend Their Good Start in Group H

Barcelona opened their Group H campaign with a commanding 5-0 home win against Antwerp. A brace from Joao Felix and goals by Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, and an own goal by Jelle Bataille, gave Xavi’s men a comfortable win.

Barcelona will focus on making two consecutive wins in Group H as they look to take charge of the group early on and bolster their chances of qualification.

The 5-0 win against Antwerp was consistent with the prevailing form of Barcelona in their excellent start in the defense of their La Liga title.

Xavi’s charges have won six times and drawn twice in an unbeaten beginning to their league defense in the opening eight matches. They have scored 19 goals, the highest tally in La Liga, while conceding just 8 goals in the process.

Xavi will look to get his charges in the right frame of mind before they step into the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday, focusing on getting a win and enhancing their chances in Group H.

Injury Report

Porto

Sérgio Conceição will be without a few first-team members ahead of hosting Barcelona on Wednesday. 

Center-back Ivan Marcano (cruciate ligament rupture), right-winger Gabriel Veron (tear in the adductor muscle), and center-forward Evanilson (ankle injury) are all unavailable for the Barcelona match.

Porto will also be without left-back Zaidu (unknown injury) and center-back Pepe (unknown injury) in Wednesday’s home clash against Barcelona.

Barcelona

Xavi will be without central midfielder Pedri, with the 20-year-old nursing a hamstring injury. Pedri is expected back by October 5th, but his return might come too soon to make the team in Porto.

Central midfielder Frenkie de Jong sprained his ankle on September 24th and has missed the last 2 matches for Barcelona. The 26-year-old is a major doubt for the trip to face Porto.

Right winger Raphinha is struggling with a muscle injury he suffered on September 30th. He is a doubt for the Porto clash.

Possible Lineups

Porto

D. Costa; Wendell, D. Carmo, Fabio Cardoso, J.Mario; Galeno, S. Eustaquio, A. Varela, R. Baro; Pepe, M. Taremi

Barcelona

M. ter Stegen; J. Cancelo, J. Kounde, A. Christensen, A. Balde; O. Romeu, Gavi, I. Gundogan; L. Yamal, R, Lewandowski, J. Felix

Prediction

Barcelona will have too much for the hosts, Porto. They will win the match and make it two consecutive wins in Group H.

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