Champions League
2026-09-08 - Porto vs Manchester City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Champions League Match Day 1
Tuesday 8th September 2026 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Porto
Back to back third place finishes in the Portuguese top flight are never going to be good enough for the fans or the club, but Porto returned to the head of the table under Francesco Farioli last season. The manager will be looking to build on that both domestically and in European competition as Porto return to the Champions League this week.
This is the first time Porto will be playing in the current format of the Champions League, although the experience of the Europa League means the club are aware of how things work. Last season they reached the Quarter Final of the Europa League having been beaten in the Knock Out Play Off Round the season before, and Porto are unbeaten in 7 home European ties ahead of this fixture.
Porto have clearly gained some confidence from being Champions again and they have won the last 7 games in all competitions, including all 6 played this season. They are unbeaten in 21 at home in all competitions and Porto have won 6 of the last 7 in front of the supporters, including the last 5 in succession.
Jan Bednarek is to serve a European suspension for the hosts.
Manchester City
You could not really describe the win over Coventry City as a vintage Manchester City performance, but three points is important with the expectation being that the squad will take a bit of time getting used to what is Enzo Maresca wants from them. It means Manchester City have made a perfect start to the Premier League campaign and they will be keen to finish in the top eight of the Champions League Group so they can avoid a Play Off Round tie next February.
Last season Manchester City sneaked into the top eight in the Champions League having missed out the season prior, but they have not been beyond the Quarter Final in this competition since winning it all in 2023. Each of the last three exits have been at the hands of Real Madrid in the Quarter Final, Knock Out Play Off and Last 16 respectively.
Manchester City have won the last 3 games since losing the Community Shield against Arsenal, and they have impressed most in the 1-4 win at Crystal Palace. The side are unbeaten in 6 away games in all competitions since being thumped 3-0 at Real Madrid back in March, but Manchester City had drawn 2 in a row before winning at Selhurst Park. Recent away performances in the Champions League have been disappointing and Manchester City have won 2 of the last 9 on their travels, while also suffering 6 losses in that time.
Nico O'Reilly and Jeremy Doku are not available for selection. The first Manchester derby is coming up on Sunday, but wholesale changes are not expected for this Champions League tie.
Head to Head
These two clubs met in the 2020/21 Champions League Group Stage and Manchester City took four points from Porto.
The game hosted by Porto ended goalless in December 2020, while Manchester City had previously won here 1-2 in February 2012.
Prediction
In recent years, the Portuguese representatives in European Football have shown the depth of talent that still plays in that League, even if it is not quite up to the level of the top five European Leagues.
Sporting pushed Arsenal all the way in the Champions League Quarter Final and Porto did the same in the Europa League Quarter Final against Nottingham Forest.
Porto are now unbeaten in 7 home European ties, but they are stepping back into the Champions League as Portuguese Champions and there is going to be a gap to bridge.
Recent form suggests Porto can do that, but they will be challenged immediately when hosting Manchester City on Match Day 1.
It is not a Pep Guardiola led Manchester City, but Enzo Maresca has put his team in a position to win matches and that will give the squad a boost. This also gives Maresca some authority with a number of new players coming into the squad in what has been a big transition of a summer.
Under the previous manager, Manchester City had just lost their way in the Champions League and 2 wins with 6 losses in the last 9 away ties underlines that point. One of those defeats came at the hands of Sporting Lisbon and that will give Porto encouragement, but containing Manchester City will be a real test for the home team.
The first Manchester derby of the season is coming up on Sunday, but Manchester City should have enough time to prepare for that fixture and Enzo Maresca will want to extend current momentum. That should mean a strong team is selected and it may be that Manchester City can do enough to edge what may turn out to be a high-scoring game as Porto look to use the home advantage.
Porto created plenty of chances when hosting Nottingham Forest five months ago, but they also looked a little vulnerable at the back and this Manchester City team can find a way to edge to the three points on Tuesday night.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Porto 1-2 Manchester City
