Overview
Porto are having a relatively disappointing run in the 2024-2025 Europa League. In both matches against Bodo/Glimt and Manchester United, Porto had the advantage of playing with one more player but only brought home 1 point. This is a completely opposite performance compared to Porto's achievement of 21/24 maximum points in the domestic league.
In the current context, Porto will want to return to the winning streak when welcoming Hoffenheim at home. They need to accumulate points to compete for higher positions in the Europa League rankings. With the advantage of home ground Dragao, Porto can completely complete this goal.
Hoffenheim are in a contrasting form to Porto. In the Bundesliga, Hoffenheim are deep in the bottom half of the table with only 7 points after 7 matches. They have only won 2 of their last 8 matches in all competitions. Hoffenheim have also failed to win in their last 4 away matches in all competitions.
However, Hoffenheim have 4 points after 2 matches in the Europa League, including a 2-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv.
However, playing at the Dragao Stadium has never been an easy task. Remember, this stadium has made it difficult for many "big guys" in Europe. Meanwhile, Hoffenheim has not even known the taste of victory away from home in the 2024-2025 season.
In terms of head-to-head record, the two teams have never met before in history.
Human resources situation
Samu Omorodion was on the bench last weekend and is likely to feature in the Europa League. Nehuen Perez and Ze Pedro are also expected to continue at centre-back.
On the other side of the front line, Kramaric and Adam Hlozek will continue to partner each other in Hoffenheim's attack. Kevin Akpoguma will play at full-back, while Florian Grillitsch is expected to retain his starting position in midfield.
Expected lineup:
Porto: Diogo Costa, Moura, Perez, Ze Pedro, Joao Mario, Eustaquio, Varela, Pepe, Gonzalez, Galeno, Omorodion.
Hoffenheim: Baumann, Akpoguma, Stach, Chaves, Prass, Grillitsch, Bischof, Gendrey, Kramaric, Butler, Hlozek.
The match between Porto and Hoffenheim takes place at 2:00 a.m. on October 25 (Vietnam time).
