Porto vs Malmo: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview
As Porto prepares to host Malmo at the Estadio do Dragao for the Europa League group stage, the stakes are high for both teams. Currently, Porto sits eighth in the table with 10 points, while Malmo struggles in the group, positioned third from the bottom with a mere one point.
Match Preview: Porto vs. Malmo
Porto recently strengthened their position in the Europa League by defeating Nice 3-0 at home. This victory came on the heels of a shaky period where they lost to Nottingham Forest and drew with Utrecht. The Dragons are eager to maintain momentum; they have claimed seven wins in nine matches across all competitions this season.
In contrast, Malmo enters the match with fatigue, having last played two weeks prior. They faced a 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest, marking their second consecutive loss in the competition. Earlier, Malmo lost their initial two games to Ludogorets and Vitoria Plzen, with a lone draw against Dinamo Zagreb offering little consolation.
Porto’s Strong Home Advantage
- Porto has won eight of their last 12 Europa League home matches (D3, L1).
- In their 10 home games this season, they have kept seven clean sheets.
- Porto bounced back from their latest league defeat with a 2-0 win against Tondela, increasing their lead in the Primeira Liga.
Malmo’s Struggles in Europe
- Malmo’s current standing puts them five points off playoff contention in the Europa League.
- Their only win in the last six matches across all competitions came against GAIS.
- They have failed to secure a win in their last four Europa League appearances.
Team News and Potential Lineups
Porto will be without striker Luuk de Jong for the season due to a knee injury. He joins Nehuen Perez on the sidelines. Midfielder William Gomes, who has scored two goals in his last three appearances, may feature in the starting lineup.
Malmo also faces injury concerns, with left-back Arnor Sigurdsson recovering from a knee issue and midfielder Otto Rosengren potentially sidelined again.
Possible Starting Lineups
| Porto | Malmo |
|---|---|
| D. Costa | Ellborg |
| Fernandes | Stryger |
| Bednarek | Jansson |
| Kiwior | Djuric |
| Zaidu | Busanello |
| Eustaquio | Karlsson |
| Rosario | Busuladzic |
| Mora | Skogmar |
| Gomes | Ekong |
| Samu | Haksabanovic |
| Sainz | Gudjohnsen |
Match Prediction
Considering Porto’s robust defense, they are favored to win against a Malmo side that has struggled to find the back of the net. With expectations of a comfortable victory, the predicted score for this match is Porto 3, Malmo 0.
As both teams prepare for this crucial encounter, Porto aims to solidify their place in the knockout stages, while Malmo risks elimination without a win.
