Porto vs Chelsea preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news & prediction

Chelsea face Porto in the first leg of the Champions League quarter final on Wednesday evening, with the 'home' side raring to go having knocked out Juventus in dramatic fashion in the last 16.

Coronavirus travel restrictions mean Porto cannot host their home leg in their native Portugal, but can instead be fuelled by being considered the underdogs of the tournament and playing with nothing to lose.

Thomas Tuchel's unbeaten run as Chelsea boss finally came to an end in humbling fashion at the weekend against an all-but-relegated West Brom side, meaning the Blues need a strong response on the European stage.

Here's 90min's preview of the clash.

Where to watch

When is the match? Wednesday 7 April
What time is kick off? 20:00 (BST)
Where is it played? Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, Spain
TV Channel? BT Sport 2 (UK), fuboTV (US)
Referee? Slavko Vincic
VAR? Pawel Gil

Porto team news

Sergio Oliveira and Mehdri Taremi are both suspended for the first leg and will miss out, meaning Marko Grujic will likely return in midfield for Porto, while Luis Diaz also starts.

Malang Sarr is on loan at Porto from Chelsea and available to play, but may have to settle for a place on the bench. Veteran defender Pepe returned at the weekend and reminded viewers of his quality in the last 16, and will likely start on Wednesday.

Chelsea team news

Head coach Tuchel has already confirmed Antonio Rudiger will start in Seville following a training ground bust up with Kepa Arrizabalaga, while other key players are set to return from injury.

Christian Pulisic limped off at half time against West Brom but has been cleared and has travelled, as has N'Golo Kante who missed the defeat entirely following a hamstring issue. The latter will start on the bench.

Tammy Abraham is also fit and has made the travelling squad, although it is expected that Olivier Giroud will lead the line.

Predicted lineups

Porto: Marchesin; Manafa, Pepe, Mbemba, Sanusi; Otavio, Grujic, Uribe, Diaz; Marega, Martinez.

Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; James, Kovacic, Gilmour, Chilwell; Mount, Havertz; Giroud.

Recent results

Porto

Porto 2-1 Santa Clara - Primeira Liga (3/4)
Portimonense 1-2 Porto - Primeira Liga (20/3)
Porto 2-0 Pacos Ferreira - Primeira Liga (14/3)
Juventus 3-2 Porto - Champions League (9/3)
Gil Vicente 0-2 Porto - Primeira Liga (6/3)

Chelsea

Chelsea 2-5 West Brom - Premier League (3/4)
Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United - FA Cup (21/3)
Chelsea 2-0 Atletico Madrid - Champions League (17/3)
Leeds 0-0 Chelsea - Premier League (13/3)
Chelsea 2-0 Everton - Premier League (8/3)

Prediction

Both sides put together strong performances over two legs to progress from the round of 16. While Chelsea have definitely drawn the most desirable side on paper, Porto will be no pushovers.

They caused an upset over Juventus and have maintained fine domestic form since, but Chelsea dismantled La Liga's frontrunners in the last 16 and, importantly, will be fuelled by seeing their unbeaten streak come to an end.

The Blues will emerge victorious.

Prediction: Porto 0-2 Chelsea