Porto vs TSG Hoffenheim

Estadio do Dragao forms the backdrop for an exciting UEFA Europa League showdown between Porto and TSG Hoffenheim.

Despite being among the most entertaining teams to watch in the early Europa League campaign, Porto head into this round seeking their first European win in 2024/25 after following up a 3-2 defeat at Bodo/Glimt with a goal-glutted 3-3 home draw against Manchester United last time out. However, they’ll be confident of getting off the mark after returning from the international break without a landslide 3-0 Portuguese Cup win over lower-league Sintrense, increasing the likelihood of building on an eye-catching run of winning eight of their last 12 European home clashes against German opponents (D2, L2). As if that’s not encouraging enough, the Dragons haven’t lost a competitive home match on home turf since April (W7, D3), netting 2+ goals on ten occasions.

On the other hand, Hoffenheim saw off Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 in the Europa League round two, preserving their unbeaten continental record this season after a 1-1 draw at Midtjylland. Interestingly, that win also remains their only clean sheet in ten competitive fixtures this season (W4, D2, L4). However, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side will travel in a buoyant mood after a 3-1 home win against Bundesliga minnows Bochum at the weekend extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to three matches (W2, D1). On another positive note, the German visitors haven’t lost any of their last five Europa League games on foreign soil (W2, D3), though the most recent three all ended all square.