Porto – PSV: preview
We have the lineups for the match between Porto and PSV in the third round of the common phase of the 2025/26 Champions League.
The champions of their respective countries still have no wins in the UCL. Both clubs are not the only ones affected by this fate, but something must be done about it.
Key points
Porto
1. The successes of the "dragons" remain limited to the Portuguese league
As shown in the match against "Manchester City" (0:2) and now against "Betis" (2:3), Porto is not afraid abroad. In the last 10 days the "azules y blancos" have been in Funchal, where they beat "Maritimo" who started strong but collapsed (2:1), and the trip to Seville turned out very intense. The teams attacked nonstop, had fun in front of their opponents' goalposts, but the "heliopolitas" proved more agile, outpacing and surpassing their Portuguese colleagues. This trip was the fourth in the last five matches for Porto and coming home is always pleasant.
2. William Gomes is not ready, more rest time is needed
The "dragons" are in a very unusual situation, when the team must play two Champions League matches in a row. Fortunately for Francesco Farioli, the only injury is William Gomes. The Brazilian missed last week due to an ankle injury, a useful player for the club, but in recent matches he has delivered a series of unimpressive performances and may recover. There will be six days between matches, so fatigue is not a concern, and given recent results, the same starting eleven could be seen on the trip to Spain. Sam O'Rourke still cannot compete with André Silva, Oscar Pétrovic Pepe, and Zaidu Sanusi is being careful.
3. And a bit more about Porto at the "Dragao"
I have not heard about the power of the Dragao walls, only the vague ones, and for some reason they help the "dragons" even in the UCL. In the last eight home matches in the Champions League, the azules y blancos lost only two – besides "Man City" the hosts managed to beat "Barça" with Xavi three years ago. In that, defeats end, and successes barely begin: a draw with "Inter" (0:0) and victories over "Bayern" (2:1), "Atletico" (2:1), "Antwerp" (2:0), "Shakhtar" (5:3) and "Arsenal" (1:0).
PSV
1. PSV still does not intimidate even in the Netherlands
The current Eredivisie champion, who won the last edition with a 19‑point advantage, has not yet found the 2026/27 season. Peter Bos's team took an international break after the frustrating, but fair, loss to "Twente" (2:3), returned with a win over "Herena" (2:0), and then the problem arose. Initially the "farmers" tried for a long time and with perseverance to break the "RB Leipzig" convincingly, but it did not happen (0:1), and then the visitors went to "Den Haag" in The Hague, where they were quickly surpassed on the score, lost Sven Meijnders before halftime and gave their humble opponent the first win of the season (1:2).
2. Schouten, Plee, Sildilla, Lamers, Pepi and Vanner are not ready, Til under suspicion, very short rest
From the "red‑whites" dressing room a good team could emerge to fight for Dutch European clubs. Players unavailable include Yerdy Schouten, Alassane Plee, Kylian Sildilla, Sam Lamers, Ricardo Pepi, Paul Vanner and several less relevant players. Most of the injuries happened a while ago, although according to recent results, PSV has not yet adapted particularly. Moreover, the "farmers" will have only three days of rest, in the match against "Den Haag" Gus Til was substituted out, and two consecutive defeats will not bring joy to the players. It is not the best lineup before another trip.
3. PSV only scores zero on holidays
The minimal positive of the last stretch was found anyway: the match against "Herena" was the first for PSV with intact goalposts. In the other 11 official matches of the new season the "farmers" always lost and, despite the explosive offensive potential, could not always bring joy with a response.
Estimated lineups
4-3-3 4-2-3 199
Kosta74
Moura4
Kiver13
Rosario52
Fernandez10
Weega22
Varla8
Froholdt11
Pepe19
Silva17
Sains32
Kovarch8
Des2
Gertruyda4
Obispo18
Kostich24
Sano17
Junior5
Perisic20
Til7
Van Bommel21
Mains
Betting on the trend
In six of the last seven matches of Porto and in 10 of the last 12 matches of PSV, the teams exchanged goals. OZ-да by 1.68.
In six of the last seven matches of Porto and in nine of the last 12 matches of PSV at least three goals were scored. TB 3 by 1.86.
Forecast
Porto vs PSV 20.10.2026 23:00
Porto continues to act strictly by the schedule: wins in the Primeira Liga and loses in the UCL. The trip to Seville against "Betis" (2:3), despite the mistake, turned out quite lively, although without points, there will be little to celebrate. The "dragons" do not have William Gomes, but with the offense there is no problem and the defense fails, forgetting the cold.
PSV cannot shake their rivals even in the Netherlands. After leaving the international break, the "farmers" beat "Herena" (2:0) and found the first goalless match of the season, but then fell to "Leipzig" (0:1) and "Den Haag" (1:2).
There is no reason to doubt Porto's success. At home the azules y blancos always play stronger, and here as well after the series of trips, and rested more than PSV, double the time. The "red‑whites" with time lose more serenity and the calculator, as well as the "dragons" defense, quite exhausted in the last month.
Forecast: 3-1
