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In a battle for supremacy in Champions League Group H, Portuguese giants Porto welcome the Spanish champions, Barcelona, to the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday evening. Both teams are hungry for their second win in the competition, but with contrasting fortunes in their domestic leagues, the stakes have never been higher.

Analysis:

Porto: Sergio Conceicao’s men had a flying start in the Champions League with a 3-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. This win certainly boosted their confidence, but their momentum faced a slight jolt with a narrow loss to Benfica. The Estadio do Dragao has been a fortress for Porto, with an 11-game unbeaten run to boast about. However, defensive issues persist, as they still hunt for their first home clean sheet of the season.

Key players like Pepe might be absent due to injury, but the performance of Galeno on the left flank can’t be ignored. He played a crucial role in their win against Shakhtar and will be expected to be a thorn in Barcelona’s side.

Barcelona: Xavi’s Barcelona had a mesmerizing start in the Champions League, crushing Royal Antwerp 5-0. Their attacking prowess was on full display, with Joao Felix playing a starring role. Though Barcelona had a slight hiccup in their La Liga campaign, a fortuitous own goal against Sevilla ensured they remained on the heels of table-toppers Real Madrid.

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However, injuries to key players like Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong, and Pedri might hamper their game plan. It provides an opportunity for young guns like Lamine Yamal to step up, especially given his impressive cameo against Antwerp.

The history between the two sides leans towards Barcelona. The Spanish giants have won their last four meetings with Porto, although it’s been over a decade since they last met.

Prediction: Considering the recent form, Barcelona appears to have the upper hand. However, Porto’s solid home record can’t be overlooked.

Goal.mu predicts: Porto 1-2 Barcelona. The sheer quality and depth in Barcelona’s squad might just be the deciding factor, but Porto’s resilient nature promises a tight contest.

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