Overview
Porto started this season's Europa League campaign with a vibrant start to the season with two narrow wins over Salzburg (1-0) and Red Star Belgrade (2-1). However, in recent matches, the Dragons have shown a lack of steam.
They suffered their first defeat of the campaign in the third match, losing 0-2 to Nottingham Forest at City Ground. After that, although Borja Sainz scored an equalizer for Porto against Utrecht, the home team still could not turn the situation around, even with only 10 players on the field at Utrecht.
Although currently 14th in the Europa League rankings and only one point behind the top 8, it is difficult to imagine a team with impressive form like Porto not reaching the knockout round. Porto have won 14 of their 17 games in all competitions, drawing just two and losing one.
In the Primeira Liga, Dragons took a 3-point lead and advanced to the next round of the Portuguese Cup after a 3-0 victory over weak team Sintrense. At Dragao, Porto also won 6 of their last 7 matches (drawing 1).
An impressive home record in the Europa League group stage, with 7 wins in the last 11 matches (3 draws, 1 loss), further strengthens Porto's chances of winning against coach Francesco Farioli's old club.
Farioli led the French team Nice in the 2023-2024 season. He helped the team win fifth place in Ligue 1 and a place in the Europa League.
However, after being eliminated early in the previous season, Le Gym is facing the risk of early exit from the European tournament. They have failed to get any points in their opening four games, including a 1-2 defeat to Roma, Fenerbahce and Celta Vigo, as well as a 1-3 defeat to Freiburg.
As one of only two teams in the Europa League this season to lose all four matches, Nice is currently second from bottom in the 36-team rankings. Franck Haise's side have gone 14 consecutive European games without a win (4 draws, 10 losses), equal to the worst record of a French side.
This disappointing streak has dragged on in all competitions, with four consecutive defeats. A 1-5 home defeat to Marseille last weekend saw Les Gym drop to ninth in Ligue 1.
Nice's away form is very worrying, as they have lost 7 out of 9 matches this season (1 win, 1 draw). Therefore, even a point at Dragao, even if not changed many rankings on the rankings, will still be considered a significant improvement.
Personnel situation
This week, Farioli received good news from Porto's medical department when Jan Bednarek and Victor Froholdt are practicing again. Both are expected to be present in the next match.
First-choice goalkeeper Diogo Costa is expected to continue to secure the goal, while Samu Omorodion could lead the attack.
On the other side of the front line, Nice's injury list continues to grow as striker Sofiane Diop had to leave the field in the loss to Marseille last weekend and is uncertain to play.
Les Gym's defense is also having trouble with Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Mohamed Abdelmonem still absent due to cruciate ligament injuries, Moise Bombito with a leg injury and Dante with a knee injury.
Despite many physical problems, Mohamed- Ali Cho is the hope in Nice's attack. He has scored in 3/4 of his most recent matches and will continue to be relied upon in the next match.
Expected lineup:
Porto: D. Costa, A. Costa, Bednarek, Kiwior, Moura, Eustaquio, Rosario, Veiga, Sainz, Aghehowa, Pepe.
Nice: Diouf, Mendy, Bah, Bard, Clauss, Sanson, Vanhoutte, Abdi, Boga, Carlos, Cho.
The match between Porto and Nice takes place at 0:45 am on November 28 (Vietnam time).
