Porto vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026-27 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Portuguese champions FC Porto are back in the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2023-24 campaign as the Dragons take on Manchester City.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime / USA – Paramount+
Porto preview: Re-establishing themselves
In the 2023-24 campaign, Porto were beaten by Arsenal on penalties in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League but that hard-fought loss papered over major cracks off the pitch, leading to Andre Villas-Boas’ presidency ending the 42-year reign of Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa.
Villas-Boas’ first season was a tough one but the appointment of Francesco Farioli last summer turned them around as they reclaimed the Portuguese title and now look set to be a genuine force again in European competition.
Man City preview: Enzo’s unconvincing start
Manchester City have spent heavily to back new manager Enzo Maresca, taking over after then ten-year reign of Pep Guardiola, and they have also now won three games on the bounce at the start of their Premier League season – and yet things remain unconvincing.
After a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Arsenal in the Community Shield, City have since edged past both AFC Bournemouth and Coventry City in worryingly average performances either side of a much better 4-1 defeat of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Porto team news: Bednarek suspended
Poland international centre-back Jan Bednarek is missing the opening two games of the league phase due to suspension. Zaidu Sanusi is working his way back to full fitness while Spanish striker Samu isn’t expected to be available until late-October.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): D. Costa; A. Costa, Perez, Kiwior, Moura; Froholdt, Rosario, Veiga; William, Silva, Pepe
Unavailable: Bednarek (Suspended), Sanusi (Fitness), Samu (Injured)
Questionable: Pietuszewski (Injured)
Man City team news: O’Reilly a doubt
Nico O’Reilly had to drop out at the weekend but it is not expected to be a serious injury, with Enzo Fernandez coming in for his first start for the Cityzens – and he should start again here.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernandez; Semenyo, Cherki, Foden; Haaland
Unavailable: Doku (Injured)
Questionable: O’Reilly (Injured)
Porto vs Man City prediction
Even though Francesco Farioli has evolved his own fairly conservative style of play somewhat, there is an expectation that former Ajax and Nice boss will set his Porto side up to simply frustrate their English counterparts. City, as is the want of new boss Maresca, will aim for control in pretty much all phases of that game and that is unlikely to lend itself to much enjoyment for the neutral. City are favourites but it may not be one in which they are dominant and ease to a win.
Porto vs Man City Tip: Man City to win & under 3.5 goals
