H2H: Young Boys vs FC Porto – Prediction (Europa League

Preview and Teams Comparison.

FC Porto won the reverse fixture against Young Boys on MD1 2-1 thanks to a Tiquinho Soares brace – it was the first ever meeting between the sides.

With Young Boys’ last four victories seeing them score precisely four goals, but also concede an average of 2.0 per match, this should be an entertaining game considering a win will put the hosts through to the knock-out stages. The last three of those wins saw the opener netted by the 10th minute, whilst all four of Young Boys’ UEFA Europa League (UEL) group games have seen at least one first-half goal (and the opener scored by the 20th minute in three), so early action seems guaranteed. With the boys from Berne unbeaten in their last 26 competitive home games, expect a confident home side.

A defeat would see Porto eliminated, though they can take heart from the fact their only UEL win so far was against Young Boys in the reverse (W1, D2, L2). That victory saw both teams score, but that’s occurred just once in Porto’s last six competitive away games (W3, D1, L2). The visitors will be gunning for victory, and if they achieve it expect a clean sheet – seven of their last eight competitive away wins involved one. However worryingly, they’ve conceded at least twice in nine straight UEL road trips, with the last four seeing them lose by at least a two-goal margin.

Players to watch: Jean-Pierre Nsame (YB) scored a hat-trick within 30 minutes last time out – he’s netted in five consecutive home games, scoring the final goal in three. Five of the last six competitive goals Zé Luís has scored for Porto came before half-time.

Stat attack: Young Boys won 13 of their previous 17 UEL group stage home games (D1, L3). Five of Porto’s last six UEL away goals were netted after the 65th minute. Every Young Boys home fixture this season has seen at least one goal before half-time, with an average of 1.92 first-half goals witnessed per game.