Setting the scene
Other than pride, Leicester City have absolutely nothing to play for on Wednesday night, having already qualified top of their group two weeks ago with a 2-1 win over Club Brugge.
Porto, however, could still end up in the Europa League, and that’s something Nuno Espírito Santo will want to avoid at all costs.
The Portuguese side would ensure qualification to the next round of the Champions League with a win over the Premier League champions, but if Claudio Ranieri’s men pick up a draw and Copenhagen beat Club Brugge, the Danish side will pip Porto to second spot.
Unless you missed the first leg of this fixture back in September, you’ll know that a lot of Porto’s hopes when it comes to goals rest on André Silva.
The 21-year-old Portuguese striker has, since the end of last season, become the club’s key man, and everything seems to revolve around him.
With seven goals in 12 league games, and two in five Champions League appearances, Silva has also emerged as an option for Portugal’s national team, scoring four goals in his first five caps.
Porto have a new star on their hands, and unlike the South American stars they sold beforehand for big money, they will want to keep this one to themselves for as long as possible, having nurtured him since he was 16.
Injuries and suspensions
Two players will be treading on thin ice on Wednesday night, as both centre-back Felipe and the aforementioned André Silva are one booking away from a suspension.
Injury wise, key full-back Miguel Layún returned from a hamstring injury at the weekend against Braga, and should (key word) be fit to feature against Leicester.
However, Brazilian left-winger Otávio left that same game with an injury, meaning he is a doubt to start on Wednesday night.
Predicted line-up
Nuno has made it clear in recent games that his diamond 4-4-2 is his formation of choice, and playing at home needing a win, we doubt he will deviate too much from a tactic that has seen his side lose only one game since these two sides last met.
Predicted XI: Casillas, Pereira, Felipe, Marcano, Layún, Pereira, Corona, Brahimi, André, Diogo Jota, André Silva
