Porto hosts Manchester City in the Champions League debut

Manchester City looks to maintain its tradition of starting its UEFA Champions League (UCL) campaign with a victory, traveling to Portuguese champions Porto.

Game news and current form

As they begin their 28th campaign in the UCL, a Portuguese record, Porto leaves full of confidence. The team started the Liga Portugal with five wins in five games, after beating Moreirense 2-1 on Friday night. That was, in fact, the first goal that Porto conceded all season, something that should reinforce the conviction that they can extend a run of eight wins in the last ten games of the UCL group stage/league stage (D2). Coach Francesco Farioli will greatly support this record when making his debut as a coach in the UCL. Their debut should end positively, judging by their form in 2026: Porto are yet to lose at home this calendar year and have suffered just one defeat in their last 14 European games at their home stadium (W10, D3).

Manchester City imitated their Portuguese hosts by starting their league season with nothing but victories. On Saturday, they beat Coventry 1-0 and placed themselves among the top teams in the Premier League. Now that he turns his attention to the UCL, new coach Enzo Maresca will have his work cut out to ensure the team manages its European commitments better than it has done recently. City have lost nine of their last 17 UCL games (W6, D2). The Italian can find a positive sign in the fact that none of City's three previous managers lost their first UCL game in charge of the team (W2, D1). Still, they will have to overcome City's poor record, which has lost six of their last nine European games away from home (W2, D1).

Head-to-head history

City have had the upper hand in this head-to-head match (W3, D1), a series that is part of Porto's recent very negative record against English teams. Dragons have won just two of the last 16 such duels (W2, D4, D10).

Statistics and series

Six of Porto's last seven official games have featured ten or more corners.

Porto have scored two or more goals in just one of their last 16 meetings with English teams. 

City have won their opening UCL game in six of the last seven seasons (D1).

Thirteen of City's last 15 away games in the UCL have seen over 2.5 goals.

Key players to watch and missing

O André Silva, from Porto, had six goal appearances in eight games in the UCL (G4, A2) during his first spell at the club. In four of his last six games for Porto in which he scored, he was the one to open the scoring, including both this season. Erling Haaland he is just two goals behind Sergio Agüero's record, who scored 36 UCL goals for City, but he may have to wait. Four of his last six goals for the club came after 70 minutes.

It is likely that the Victor Froholdt miss the Porto game due to concussion protocol, while the Jan Bednarek is serving a suspension carried over from last season. THE Nico O'Reilly, from City, missed the game against Coventry at the weekend.

For all the latest team news, visit the Flashscore games hub.

Betting analysis

Porto's recent struggles against English teams are worrying, but their strong home record makes them a double bet Porto/Draw, or both teams to score in an attractive option.