Preview - Schalke vs Porto 19 September 18

[Harry85]

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

[Harry85]

Half time: 0 - 0
Full time: 1 - 1
Shots:  10 - 5
Shots on target: 6 - 4
Corner Kicks: 7 - 3
Possession: 43% - 57%

Two bookings apiece in this one. Referee Jesus Gil taking the names of Breel Embolo and Mark Uth of Schalke and Jesus Corona and Hector Herrera of the away side.

This was much better from Schalke who just about edged this and will hope that this can help stop the rot. They didn't manage to win but did avoid another confidence sapping defeat. Behind on the shot count but ahead in the possession stats the visitors probably did just about deserve their point.

Porto really should have been in front as early as the 13th minute. A long throw into the area seeing a clear handball from Naldo. The referee having no hesitation in pointing to the spot. It was by no means a poor penalty kick from Alex Telles who placed the ball well towards the bottom right corner. Ralf Faehrmann was up to the task though, pulling off an excellent one handed stop.

Faehrmann was at it again at the start of the second half, producing a fine block with his legs to deny Porto from point blank range.

Then in the 64th minute Schalke took the lead. A swift counterattack down the right hand side seeing Weston McKennie play in Breel Embolo towards the left of the area. Embolo looked to be drifting a little wide but the keeper and defenders drifted across with him and he finished smartly into the bottom right.

Then in the 75th minute Porto were awarded their second penalty kick of the game. Salif Sane being pulled up for a trip only just inside the area. Otavio took responsibility this time, sending the keeper the wrong way to find the bottom right corner. 1-1 final score.