Chelsea vs Porto: Champions League Preview

Chelsea vs Porto
Tuesday 15 September 2009,
Stamford Bridge
Kick-Off: 19:45

Chelsea will come into the first group stage match of the Champions League tie against Porto knowing their opponent quite well. The two have squared off against each other in 2004 and 2007 in this competition with the London club winning both of the last two matches played at Stamford Bridge.

Carlo Ancelotti will enter his first Champions League as the manager of Chelsea trying to repeat the success he achieved in the tournament with AC Milan. Twice, Ancelotti was successful in capturing the Champions League cup with AC Milan, in 2002/03 and 2006/07.

His Chelsea side have opened the Premier League season on a remarkable run, sitting top of the table with the maximum 15 points from five games played. The most recent victory came Saturday after a 93rd minute winner from Florent Malouda was enough to finally break down a resilient defensive effort from Stoke City.

Didier Drogba was on target again for Chelesa as he continues his run of good form. The Ivorian has been hot and cold over the past few seasons with Chelsea, but has opened the 2009/10 season with promise.

Unfortunately for the Blues, Drogba will miss this Champions League match and two more due to his antics in last season's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Defender Jose Bosingwa will also miss two matches for his part.

Deco missed the match against Stoke with a calf injury while Joe Cole still lacks match fitness. If either of the two could play against Porto, it would be a real boost for Ancelotti.

FC Porto are a side that are consistently overlooked when top European clubs are mentioned.

The truth is, Porto have been one of the most consistent qualifiers for this competition and have even won it twice (2003/04, where they would have faced Chelsea in the final, had Monaco not beaten the London club in the semi-finals, and 1986/87 when the competition was still referred to as the European Cup).

After winning their fourth consecutive league title—and sixth since 2002—Porto have established themselves as the main Portuguese contender.

Jesauldo Ferreira’s men have taken a marvellous pre-season form and carried it into the early stages of the Portuguese league, as they sit top of the table on ten points from four games played, after Saturday’s results saw them defeat Leixoes 4-1 home.

There are a number of offensive weapons that could pose a threat to Chelsea’s defence, perhaps none more so than Hulk.

Hulk, a Brazilian with strength, pace, technical skill and an overall package that would make most managers water at the mouth, has been on excellent form and netted again in Saturday’s match against Leixoes from the spot.

Falcao has been a real success at Porto since his arrival from River Plate in the off-season. He has four goals in four appearances for Porto and will be looking to beat Petr Cech, as well.

Prediction

Porto tend to give English clubs fits, even if the results don’t always work in their favour.

This year’s Porto side are a very competent group who have been playing spectacular football and will need to continue to do so in order to have any chance at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea looked a bit complacent against Stoke in the first half of their game on Saturday, but turned the pressure on late when it mattered most and were able to come away with a victory.

The question here is, will Porto be able to handle a motivated Chelsea side who have an extra gear to rely on if they find themselves in a hole?

Unfortunately for the Portuguese side it doesn't look too likely, and Chelsea will enter the match as comfortable favourites to win.

Chelsea vs Porto Prediction: Chelsea 2 - Porto 1

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