Stuttgart is set to host Porto at MHPArena on Thursday for their inaugural Europa League round-of-16 clash. This matchup marks Stuttgart’s progression after securing a 4-2 aggregate win over Celtic in the playoffs. Porto, on the other hand, reached this stage directly by finishing in the top eight of the league-phase standings.
Match Preview: Stuttgart vs. Porto
This will be the first meeting between the two teams. Stuttgart recently showed great form, achieving a convincing 4-1 victory over Celtic in the first leg of their playoff. Despite a 1-0 loss in the return match, Stuttgart’s earlier win ensured their progression.
Under head coach Sebastian Hoeness, Stuttgart hopes to build on a recent record of seven wins, two draws, and two losses in their last eleven matches across all competitions. They finished the league phase with an 11th-place standing among 36 teams.
Stuttgart aims to advance in the Europa League for only the second time this century. They hope to capitalize on their strong performance at the MHPArena, where they have won five of their last seven competitive matches. However, there is concern regarding their defensive capabilities, having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five Europa League matches.
Stuttgart’s Recent Form
- Last match: 2-2 draw against Mainz
- Current Bundesliga position: 4th, just ahead of Leipzig on goal difference
- Home record in 2023: 5 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss
Porto’s Recent Performance
Porto arrives at this match after a 2-2 draw with Benfica. They surrendered a two-goal lead, which highlighted their recent struggles on the road. The Dragons have managed only one win in their last five away games, drawing twice and losing twice. Their last three Europa League away matches resulted in two draws and one loss.
Team News and Potential Lineups
Stuttgart will miss Lazar Jovanovic due to a back injury. Josha Vagnoman might also be unavailable due to a thigh issue. Bilal El Khannouss returns after serving a suspension. The team faces potential disciplinary issues, as three players are one booking away from a suspension.
Porto also has its share of injury woes. Samu Omorodion and Luuk de Jong are out for the season due to knee injuries. Nehuen Perez is recovering from an Achilles injury, and Martim Fernandes is a doubt after being withdrawn last weekend. Defenders Dominik Prpic, Jan Bednarek, and Alberto Costa are also at risk of suspension.
Expected Lineups
| Stuttgart | Porto |
|---|---|
| Nubel; Assignon, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Karazor, Stiller; El Khannouss, Undav, Leweling; Demirovic | D Costa; A Costa, Bednarek, Kiwior, Zaidu; Froholdt, Varela, Veiga; Pepe, Gul, Gomes |
Match Prediction
Our prediction for this encounter is Stuttgart 2-1 Porto. While both teams have shown some inconsistency lately, Stuttgart’s solid home performance could be crucial. Porto’s struggles away may hinder their chances, despite their strong defensive reputation. Expect a closely contested match with a potential low-scoring outcome as both teams have the quality to find the net.
