News

Porto play Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday 7 April at 21:00 CET.

What's the story?

Chelsea went their first 14 matches unbeaten under Thomas Tuchel and served notice of their new-found form by dispatching Atlético de Madrid in the last 16. Porto also impressed as they stunned Juventus, though hopes of a first last-four appearance since winning the competition under José Mourinho 17 years ago are dented by suspensions to key pair Mehdi Taremi and Sérgio Oliveira.

Form guide

FC Porto
Form: WWWLWL
Latest: Porto 2-1 Santa Clara, 03/04
Where they stand: 2nd in Portuguese Liga

FC Chelsea
Form: LWWDWW
Latest: Chelsea 2-5 West Brom, 03/04
Where they stand: 5th in Premier League

Possible line-ups

Porto: Marchesín; Manafá, Mbemba, Pepe, Zaidu; Grujić, Uribe, Otávio, Corona; Luis Diáz, Marega.

Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rüdiger; James, Jorginho, Kovačić, Alonso; Mount, Giroud, Werner.

Expert predictions

Carlos Machado, Porto reporter: Comfortable in the role of underdogs, Porto know English opposition is always tough but this Chelsea side, as West Brom demonstrated on Saturday, look uncomfortable when space at the back is attacked – it is a Porto strength. They will be without two key figures in Sérgio Oliveira and Taremi, but Porto's work ethic and never-say-die attitude can produce miracles. Just ask Juventus.

John Phipps, Chelsea reporter: Described as "rusty" by Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea suffered their first defeat in 15 games under the German coach with an astonishing 5-2 loss to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. They have been so solid since his arrival, and Tuchel surely won't panic, hoping that was just a blip. The biggest issue is where the goals will come from, though ...

View from the camps

Sérgio Conceição, Porto coach: "We are aware that we are going to have a very difficult task, but we are ready. There may be one or two different variations in our system for the match. In life, nothing is impossible, especially in football. I wish Chelsea had won their last match. Sometimes these situations sound the alarm and make everyone more alert."

Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea manager: "We come from a competition that we are able to lose against the team 19th in the table, 5-2. So we know how humble you have to be in every game. The I have the feeling we can overcome Porto but it will be a tough match. They are a very expereinced side in this competition, champions for many years in Portugal. This makes a certain mentality. But we are strong enough and believe in ourselves that we can overcome this round."

Source: UEFA