Real Betis will welcome Porto to the Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla on Wednesday for Matchday 2 of the Champions League league phase, with both sides looking to build momentum after contrasting results in their opening fixtures. The Spanish hosts began their campaign with a five-goal victory over Lille, while…...
Real Betis will welcome Porto to the Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla on Wednesday for Matchday 2 of the Champions League league phase, with both sides looking to build momentum after contrasting results in their opening fixtures.
The Spanish hosts began their campaign with a five-goal victory over Lille, while their Portuguese visitors suffered a home defeat to Manchester City in their return to Europe’s premier club competition.
Betis are making a long-awaited return to the Champions League, having last featured in the competition’s main draw during the 2005-06 season, when they finished third in their group. Their first appearance in more than two decades got off to an impressive start in France.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men showed their resilience to secure a 3-2 victory over Lille, with Marc Bartra scoring twice before Troy Parrott netted the decisive goal to hand El Glorioso all three points.
The win further extended Betis’ impressive record in European competitions. The Spanish side have lost just three of their last 13 continental matches and suffered only one defeat in their previous 11 league-phase fixtures in UEFA competitions.
Betis have also made the most of their home advantage in Europe in recent seasons, scoring at least twice in each of their last nine continental matches at the Benito Villamarin. Their attacking strength was evident once again at the weekend.
The Spanish side cruised to a 5-2 victory over Osasuna in their latest outing, a result that leaves them third in the LaLiga table. Pellegrini’s men have won all four of their home matches this season and lost just one of their nine games across all competitions in 2026-27, recording seven victories and one draw in the remaining fixtures.
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Porto, meanwhile, are experienced campaigners in the Champions League, with this season marking their 28th appearance in the competition’s main draw and their first in three seasons. However, their return was disappointing, as they suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Manchester City.
The loss represented Porto’s third defeat in their last 11 Champions League league-phase or group-stage matches. Nevertheless, eight wins during that period offer encouragement ahead of Wednesday’s meeting, particularly as the Dragons have scored at least twice in nine of those fixtures.
Porto head into the encounter after winning each of their last three competitive matches, including a 2-1 comeback victory away to newly promoted Maritimo at the weekend. That result enabled them to maintain their five-point advantage at the top of the Primeira Liga table.
However, their record in Spain presents a concern, with Porto winning just once in their last eight UEFA competition matches on Spanish soil, alongside one draw and six defeats. Their most recent victory in the country came during the 2014-15 season, when they defeated Athletic Club in the Champions League group stage.
Real Betis Champions League form:
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Real Betis form (all competitions):
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W
W
D
W
Read Also
Porto Champions League form:
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Porto form (all competitions):
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Team News
Betis are expected to be without Junior Firpo, who is recovering from an adductor injury, while Aitor Ruibal remains doubtful due to a knee problem. Antony will also need to be assessed after picking up a muscular issue against Osasuna.
Alvaro Valles is expected to retain his place in goal, with Hector Bellerin, Marc Bartra, Natan and Fran Garcia likely to form the defensive line. Isco could operate behind Troy Parrott after the Spanish midfielder scored twice against Levante.
Porto will be without suspended defender Jan Bednarek, while their defensive options have been further weakened by the absence of Zaidu Sanusi, who is dealing with an abductor injury.
Nehuen Perez is, however, close to recovering from a thigh injury and could be available if he proves his fitness before Wednesday’s match. If he is unavailable, Pablo Rosario could deputise at centre-back.
William Gomes was forced off during Porto’s previous match and has since been sidelined with an ankle injury. His absence could create an opportunity for Borja Sainz to start on the right flank, while Oskar Pietuszewski could also earn a place in the starting lineup after coming off the bench to score the winner at the weekend.
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Valles; Bellerin, Bartra, Natan, F Garcia; Bernal, Ceballos; Riquelme, Isco, Ezzalzouli; Parrott.
Porto possible starting lineup:
D Costa; A Costa, Perez, Kiwior, F Moura; Veiga, Rosario, Froholdt; Sainz, A Silva, Pietuszewski.
Real Betis 2-1 Porto
Betis have shown that they can negotiate challenging European fixtures, and their impressive home record could give them the edge over a Porto side that has struggled to win in Spain. Wednesday’s encounter is expected to be closely contested, but the Spanish hosts could secure all three points.