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Porto invite Hoffenheim to the Estadio do Dragao in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. The hosts have endured a winless start to their campaign, with a loss and a draw, while Hoffenheim have a draw and a win.
Porto are unbeaten in four games across competitions, winning three. They won 3-0 at Sintrense in their first game after the international break in the Taca de Portugal on Sunday. Galeno scored in the first half, while Iván Jaime and Tiago Djalo netted in the second.
Hoffenheim, meanwhile, are unbeaten in three games, winning two. They resumed their Bundesliga campaign after the international break with a 3-1 home win over Bochum on Saturday. Andrej Kramarić broke the deadlock in the 11th minute before Marius Bulter and Haris Tabakovic scored in the second half.
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Porto suffered a 3-2 loss to Bodo/Glimt in their campaign opener before drawing 3-3 at home to Manchester United. Hoffenheim, meanwhile, got their campaign underway with a 1-1 draw at Midtjylland before beating Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 at home earlier this month.
Porto vs Hoffenheim Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams will meet for the first time. Porto have met German teams 41 times across all European competitions, winning 16 times, while Hoffenheim have met a Portuguese team twice, with both coming against Braga in the form of losses.
- Porto are winless in five games in the Europa League, losing twice.
- Hoffenheim are unbeaten in five away games in the Europa League, drawing the last three.
- Porto have won eight of their last 12 home games against German teams in Europe, losing twice.
Porto vs Hoffenheim Prediction
Porto have had one loss in seven games across competitions, with that defeat coming against Bodo/Glimt in their Europa League opener, scoring at least twice in all seven. They have an unbeaten home record this season, winning five of six games.
Wendell is nursing an injury, while Ivan Marcano is a long-term absentee for head coach Vitor Bruno. Stephen Eustáquio and Diogo Costa were not in the squad against Sintrense but should return to the starting XI.
Meanwhile, after going winless in five games between 31 August and 29 September, Hoffenheim have won two of their last three. They are winless in four away outings, scoring once in each game.
Pavel Kaderabek, Ihlas Bebou, Pavel Kaderabek and Ozan Kabak are sidelined with injuries. Florian Grillitsch was subbed off in the second half against Bochum with a knock and is a doubt.
Considering Porto's unbeaten home record this season and Hoffenheim's form in away games, expect the hosts to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Porto 2-1 Hoffenheim
Porto vs Hoffenheim Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Porto to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Samu Omorodion to score or assist any time - Yes
