BETTING GUIDE: Stuttgart vs Porto, match preview, team news and prediction
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Reading Time: 4min | Wed. 11.03.26. | 17:02
Porto arrives in Germany with mixed recent results but still carrying confidence from their strong European campaign
VfB Stuttgart hosts FC Porto at the MHPArena on Thursday in what will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, as they contest the opening leg of their UEFA Europa League round-of-16 showdown.
The German side booked their place in this stage with a 4-2 aggregate triumph over Celtic FC in the playoff round, while the Portuguese giants advanced automatically after finishing among the top eight teams during the league phase of the competition.
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Stuttgart head into this encounter in relatively solid form under coach Sebastian Hoeness.
Despite a narrow 1-0 loss in the second leg of the knockout playoff round, Stuttgart’s dominant 4-1 victory in Glasgow ensured safe passage.
Overall, the Swabians have been productive in attack, scoring 16 goals in their last six matches while conceding eight.
Their most recent outing was an entertaining 2-2 draw away to Mainz in the Bundesliga, a result that kept them firmly in the top-four race.
In domestic competition, Stuttgart currently sits fourth in the Bundesliga and remains locked in a tight battle for Champions League qualification.
Their recent matches have been particularly entertaining for neutral observers.
Across their last six games, Stuttgart have averaged four total goals per match, scoring 2.67 and conceding 1.33 on average.
Five of those fixtures have produced both teams scoring, while the majority have comfortably cleared the 2.5 goals line.
Stuttgart’s home form has been a major strength.
They have won four of their last five competitive matches at the MHP Arena, scoring an impressive 11 goals across those victories.
Seven of their last eleven home games have produced at least four total goals, reflecting an aggressive attacking approach.
Key forward Deniz Undav has been particularly influential, contributing goals and assists, while talented midfielder Bilal El Khannouss leads Stuttgart’s Europa League scoring charts with five goals this season.
In terms of team news, Stuttgart has been boosted with defender Jeff Chabot returning from suspension.
However, forwards Justin Diehl and Lazar Jovanovic remain unavailable through injury.
Hoeness is expected to stick with his usual 4-2-3-1 system, relying on creative wide players such as Chris Fuhrich and Jamie Leweling to supply chances for Ermedin Demirovic or Undav in attack.
Porto arrives in Germany with mixed recent results but still carrying confidence from their strong European campaign.
Managed by Francesco Farioli, the Portuguese giants secured direct qualification for the round of 16 after finishing fifth in the league phase standings.
Their most recent domestic fixture ended in a 2-2 draw against Benfica in a fiercely contested league encounter.
Across their last six matches in all competitions, Porto have recorded three wins, two draws and one defeat.
During that stretch, they have scored eight goals while conceding five, demonstrating a relatively balanced approach.
Defensively, they have generally been disciplined, limiting opponents to under one goal per match on average, though away form has been less convincing.
Porto are currently unbeaten in their last four Europa League matches, winning three of them.
However, they have struggled on their travels in this competition recently, failing to win any of their last three away games.
The Dragons also enter this tie with some injury concerns, particularly in attack.
Strikers Samu Omorodion and Luuk de Jong remain sidelined, forcing the team to rely on alternative options in the forward line.
Players such as Gabri Veiga and Oskar Pietuszewski could play key roles offensively, with the latter already scoring twice in his last three appearances.
Meanwhile, experienced goalkeeper Diogo Costa is expected to start.
Interestingly, this fixture marks the first competitive meeting between Stuttgart and Porto, meaning both teams enter unfamiliar territory tactically.
Stuttgart’s attacking intensity contrasts with Porto’s more measured and structured style.
Key betting pointers;
- VfB Stuttgart have averaged roughly 1.9 goals per match across their ten outings in this season’s UEFA Europa League since the league phase began
- Stuttgart have also netted 11 goals in their last five home fixtures in the competition
- Seven of Stuttgart’s previous eight matches in all competitions have ended with over 2.5 total goals
- Three of FC Porto’s last four Europa League games have produced at least three goals
- Porto have recorded an average of 1.63 goals per match throughout their Europa League campaign from the league phase onward
Prediction; Over 2.5 goals
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