UCL: Porto vs Barcelona Odds, Preview
Midweek Champions League Action Continues
Perfect Records on the Line
FC Porto and Barcelona both opened up their 2023-24 Champions League campaigns in convincing fashion. Porto picked up a 3-1 win on the road at Shakhtar Donetsk. Meanwhile, Barcelona destroyed debutants Antwerp 5-0 at home. Now, both sides will put their perfect records on the line when they meet in a Group H matchup on Wednesday. Barcelona has historically gotten the better of Porto, but the two sides haven’t met in a while. In the first of two group-stage matchups, let’s check out the Porto vs Barcelona odds.
Porto vs Barcelona
Date & Time:
Location: Estadio do Dragao, Porto, Portugal
Head-to-Head:
FC Porto and Barcelona haven’t met in UEFA competition since the 2011 Super Cup, which Barcelona won 2-0. In the 1999-2000 Champions League, Barcelona picked up 4-2 and 2-0 wins in the second group stage. Porto’s last win over Barcelona was back in the 1985-86 European Cup. The soccer lines routinely favor Barcelona over Porto when the two sides meet. Barcelona holds a 5-3 record in UEFA competitions vs. Porto all-time.
Porto Fall in O Classico
FC Porto took on bitter rivals Benfica in O Classico last Friday in Lisbon. Porto defender Fabio Cardoso picked up a red card within the first 20 minutes. A ten-man Porto struggled to get a foothold in the game, and Benfica dominated possession. Benfica had a bunch of chances but couldn’t manage to capitalize in the first half. Finally, Angel Di Maria put Benfica ahead, and the match finished 1-0.
The loss was Porto’s first in the Primeira Liga so far this season. Porto are currently three points behind leaders Sporting but got off to an excellent start in the Champions League. They’re level on points with Barcelona in the UCL standings and defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 in their Champions League opener. Galeno has been one of the standout Champions League players so far. He scored Porto’s opening two goals and provided an assist for Mehdi Taremi. FC Porto haven’t lost at home since February, and the Estadio do Dragao has been a fortress for them.
Porto haven’t necessarily hit their stride offensively yet this season. Taremi scored 22 goals in the Primeira Liga last season and was the league’s top scorer. He’s scored just two goals in all competitions so far. Porto’s three-goal performance at Shakhtar Donetsk was the first and only time they’ve scored three goals this season.
Barça Last Remaining Unbeaten La Liga Team
Last Friday, Barcelona hosted Sevilla in La Liga action and remained unbeaten in the league. Barcelona had some excellent chances, and Joao Felix hit the crossbar in the first half. In the second half, Lamine Yamal sent in a cross that Sergio Ramos sent into the back of Sevilla’s net. It ended up being the game’s only goal as Barcelona won 1-0. A few days earlier, Barça drew 2-2 at Mallorca.
Xavi’s side are currently in second place in La Liga, one point behind rivals Real Madrid. In their Champions League opener, Barcelona destroyed Antwerp 5-0 as Joao Felix scored twice. Robert Lewandowski and Gavi also got on the scoresheet, and Antwerp’s Jelle Bataille scored an own goal. Here, the Porto vs Barcelona odds price visiting Barça as -120 favorites.
For Wednesday’s match, Barcelona will have some absences due to injury. Pedri and Frenkie de Jong will be missing from the midfield, and they’re two of Barcelona’s key players, Winger Raphinha also left the Sevilla match with an injury. That could mean 16-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal gets another start at right wing.
Match Analysis & Odds
FC Porto hasn’t defeated Barcelona for nearly 40 years, but meetings have been rare since then. The Porto vs Barcelona odds price the hosts, who’ve reached the knockout stage in three of their last four appearances, as +305 underdogs. Barcelona are -120 favorites, and they’re an unbeaten 2-2-0 on the road this season. FCB are unbeaten, in all competitions, and have conceded under a goal per game so far.
Barcelona -0.5 displays -115 odds, but they have struggled in the UCL over the last couple of seasons. They were in difficult groups in each of the last two seasons and finished in third in both of them. This time around, Barcelona are favorites to win the group. Porto +0.5 shows -105 odds as they attempt to avoid defeat at home.
Bettors can take a draw at +290 odds, and it wouldn’t be a bad result for either team. Barcelona have averaged over three goals per game over their last five matches, but under three goals sit at -150 odds.
For UCL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
