Champions' League Group D
Schalke vs. Porto
Wednesday, September 19th 2018
04:00 am (GMT+8 Timing)
Stadium: Arena AufSchalke
Schalke:
Last five matches form: W W L L L
17/18 Average goals per match: 1.56
17/18 Average goals against per match: 1.09
17/18 Top Scorer: Guido Burgstaller (11)
Porto:
Last five matches form: W W L W D
17/18 Average goals per match: 2.41
17/18 Average goals against per match: 0.53
17/18 Top Scorer: Moussa Marega (22)
It's been a woeful start to the Bundesliga season for last years runners up Schalke, who have lost all three of their games to date. With confidence dented how will they fare on their return to the big European stage here?
Visitors to the Arena AufSchalke are Portuguese champions, Porto. The Dragons have started the season in prolific form in front of goal, notching 13 in their four league games to date. Having been sensational in defence last season they have looked a little more vulnerable at the back though, shipping three against Vitória Guimarães, and two against Belenenses.
Whether Schalke can take advantage of any suspected defence frailties must be a little doubtful at the minute though, with the Germans averaging just 0.67 goals per game so far this season.
This will be the fourth meeting between the sides. Schalke have won two of the previous three with the third game ending in a draw.
Benjamin Stambouli and Bastian Oczipka look set to miss out for the hosts, with Tiquinho Soares the only reported injury concern for Porto.
Schalke aren't anything like as bad a side as their results so far this season would suggest. With Porto not looking their usual selves in defence, we can see the Germans at least getting on the scoresheet here, and suspect they may just do enough to claim a point.
Prediction: Schalke 2 - 2 Porto