Porto can break English duck against Foxes

Champions League
BT Sport 2, 7.45pm

England has been an unhappy hunting ground for Porto – they have never won and have lost 15 of 17 matches in the country – but that hoodoo could be brought to an end with a victory over Leicester at the King Power Stadium.

The Champions League draw was very kind on the Foxes but their matches with Porto, who have graced the group stage in each of the last five seasons – were always likely to be the most difficult.

Leicester are getting ready to host a Champions League match for the first time, but Porto have a wealth of experience having played 218 matches in the European Cup and Champions League.

Having such a rich history guarantees nothing but Porto were quarter-finalists in 2014-15 and competed well in last season’s group stage until a 2-0 loss at Chelsea on matchday six pushed them out of the top two.

They got off to a slowish start in the Portuguese top flight this season but Friday’s 3-1 victory at home to Boavista has kept them in third place, only three points behind leaders Benfica.

Highly-rated 20-year-old Portuguese international attacker Andre Silva bagged a brace in that game, his fifth in nine games this season in all competitions, and he looks like Porto’s most likely goalscorer.

Leicester will also have to keep a close eye on Mexican winger Jesus Corona, who netted eight league goals in 29 games last term, while his international teammate Hector Herrera bagged nine in 29.

There is no world-class striker in Porto’s ranks but they are a slick side and showed plenty of quality when seeing off Roma 4-1 on aggregate in the Champions League playoff round.

They started their group-stage campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Copenhagen and need at least a draw against Leicester to keep their quest for a two-two finish on track.

However, they are fortunate to be facing Claudio Ranieri’s side at just the right time.

There will be a fantastic atmosphere at the King Power but that could work against the home side, who were punished for being too attack-minded in their 4-1 loss at Manchester United on Saturday.

Leicester bossed the opening 20 minutes at Old Trafford but their concentration levels lapsed, and any repeat of such slipshod defending will surely be punished by seasoned opposition.

Leicester are off the the perfect start having brushed aside Club Brugge 3-0 on matchday one but Porto are a much better side than the Belgians and can pick up their first win of the group stage.

Recommendation
Porto draw no bet
1pt 11-8 general

Team news
Leicester
Kaspar Schmeichel has a groin strain and Matty James and Nampalys Mendy are also sidelined.

Porto
Sergio Oliveira is still sidelined with an injury sustained in August.

Key stat
Porto have lost just two of their last ten Champions League away games