The
group stage of the UEFA Europa League starts on upcoming Thursday. The
first matchday brings in Group L the game between
FC Porto and
SK Rapid Wien. Porto will be clear favourites in this opener fixture.
After rank 3 in previous national championship FC Porto qualified just for the UEFA Europa League. The Portuguese faces in Group L on Rapid Wien, Besiktas Istanbul and CSKA Sofia. In the play-offs Porto has eliminated KRC Genk with a 7:2 aggregate win (3:0 away, 4:2 at home). In the national championship they are league leaders with 4 wins after 4 rounds. Coach André Villas-Boas relies on a 4-3-3 system.
SK Rapid Wien will start as underdog in Group L. The Viennese has qualified with a 4:3 over Aston Villa (1:1 at home, 3:2 away) for the Europa League group stage and repeat therewith the success from previous season. Altogether Rapid are unbeaten in seven European fixtures, six of them this season. In the national championship Rapid Wien faces rank 6. The last round brought a 0:1 at home in the derby against Austria Wien.
FC Porto – SK Rapid Wien UEFA Europa League: Matchday 1, Group L
Date: 16 September, 2010 - 21:05 CET
Stadium: Estádio do Dragão, Porto
Referee: Douglas McDonald (Scotland)
FC Porto: Keeper: Helton
Defenders: Sapunaru, Maicon, Rolando, Pereira
Midfielders: Fernando, João Moutinho, Belluschi
Forwards: Falcao, Hulk, Varela
Coach: André Villas-Boas
Injured: Mariano
Booked:
SK Rapid Wien: Keeper: Hedl
Defenders: Kayhan, Sonnleitner, Soma, Katzer
Midfielders: Hofmann, Kulovits, Kavlak, Hinum, Saurer
Forwards: Nuhiu
Coach: Peter Pacult
Injured: Heikkinen, Pehlivan
Not in squad: Vennegoor of Hesselink, Eder
Booked:
For Thursday evening are forecast dry weather and temperatures over 20°C. Referee is Douglas McDonald from Scotland. A British referee could be an advantage for Rapid.
Last meeting: These teams have not previously met.
Wins FC Porto: 0
Wins Rapid Wien: 0
Draws: 0
Rapid Wien has a poor record on Portuguese soil. They have lost their three away matches and never scored a goal in Portugal. Rapid will be also this time the underdog. FC Porto is very home strong. My tip: Win FC Porto.
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