FC Porto vs Manchester United Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Despite the recent head-to-head fixtures between the two sides, this Manchester United side is struggling under Erik Ten Hag. Their recent defeat to Tottenham Hotspur marked the second game this season where Manchester United conceded three or more goals in a single game, after Liverpool and, most recently, Tottenham Hotspur.

Away from home, Manchester United have only won once away from home this season and that was against Southampton respectively. Porto are in terrific home form stretching back to last season, as the hosts are unbeaten in their previous eight home games excluding cup finals where they were the designated home side.

Porto have won their previous four home games for this season, only conceding once and scoring 11. United will still pose a threat on their day, with Porto without a clean sheet in their last four against Manchester United.

With how uncertain Manchester United will be, accompanied by Porto’s recent home form, we are leaning towards a Porto win to heap more pressure on Erik Ten Hag.

Porto 3-1 Manchester United.

The second matchday of the Europa League takes place this week as teams adapt to the new league phase. FC Porto plays host to a Manchester United side, desperate for a win to ease pressure on Erik Ten Hag.

Date: 03/10/2024
Location: Estadio Do Dragao
Kick-Off: 8 pm

FC Porto and Manchester United have a history in this competition over the past 20 years. The Dragons have won the competition twice in the last two decades, once under Jose Mourinho in 2003 and again in 2011. Manchester United won this competition in 2017, coincidentally led by Jose Mourinho. This fixture has provided classic European moments in the past, from Cristiano Ronaldo’s wonder strike in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals or Jose Mourinho sprinting down the touchline as his Porto side secured a famous win at Old Trafford in 2004.

FC Porto began this season’s competition with a defeat in their opening game, in a surprise 3-2 outcome at the hands of Bodo/Glimt. Jans Petter Hauge was the thorn in Porto’s side with a brace for the Norwegian side despite having a man dismissed for a second yellow card. Porto are second in the Liga Portugal, having only lost to champions Sporting Lisbon.

Simply put, Manchester United must win this game to dispel any surrounding talk of Erik Ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford coming to an abrupt end. The warning signs have been there for the Dutchman following three lacklustre displays against Crystal Palace, FC Twente in the opening game of the Europa League and more recently, the league fixture against Tottenham Hotspur. The performances have seen United fall behind in the race for European qualification and only three points above Everton, who got their first win of the season just recently against Crystal Palace.

These two teams last met in the Champions League in 2009, where Cristiano Ronaldo provided that memorable goal.

The game will be shown live on TNT Sports 2.

Ivan Marcano and Zaidu Sanusi are long-term absentees for the Dragons.

Possible Porto Eleven: Costa; Mario, Pedro, Perez, Moura; Eustaquio, Varela; Pepe, Gonzalez, Galeno; Omorodion

Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount were suspected of injury concerns after their game against Tottenham Hotspur. Luke Shaw remains a long-term absentee.

Expected United Eleven: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Amad Diallo, Rashford, Zirikzee

FC Porto are in impressive league form, having only lost once in their opening seven fixtures - as mentioned, that was against champions Sporting Lisbon. Porto have been proficient in front of goal, with 16 goals scored and only three goals conceded. Porto have averaged 2.3 goals per game with a steady 13% conversion rate for the Dragons. Porto are in terrific home form stretching back to last season, as the hosts are unbeaten in their previous eight home games excluding cup finals where they were the designated home side.

In their recent home fixture, FC Porto were victorious over Arouca, in a resounding 4-0 victory for the home side. Goals from Samuel Omorodion, Nico Gonzalez, Galeno and Deniz Gul.

Manchester United needs to turn their fortunes around if they are going to gain any result or swing any momentum in the club’s fortunes. Away from home, Manchester United have only won once away from home this season and that was against Southampton respectively. Defensively, United have kept three clean sheets this season; however, the Red Devils have conceded three goals on two or more occasions this season - most notably to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

In Manchester United’s most recent away fixture, they were held to a 0-0 draw away at Crystal Palace. Chances were spurned by the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee, which allowed the Eagles to progress in the second half and iron out a draw with Manchester United.

• Latest match predictions
• Football tips
• Football accumulator tips
• Football bet of the day