VfB Stuttgart vs. FC Porto Europa League preview: Team news and predicted lineups

Here’s our preview for the UEFA Europa League first-leg clash between VfB Stuttgart and FC Porto – with form, team news and predicted lineups included.

VfB Stuttgart’s Europa League odyssey continues with the visit of Porto tomorrow evening at 18:45 CET at the MHP Arena. The first-leg clash will viewed as a great chance for the Swabians to make a sharp start. 

The league phase of the competition proved to be a positive one for Sebastian Hoeneß’ side. Five wins and three defeats ultimately left them just outside the top eight direct qualifying places by a solitary point. 

Regardless, it set them up to face Celtic FC in the play-off round. The Scottish champions were simply swatted aside in the first-leg which ended 4-1, while the return fixture played out in a meaningless 0-1 defeat in truth.

Home advantage has treated the Swabians well so far with four wins from a possible five. That makes it all the more daunting for Porto who, despite only one away defeat so far, will be aware of the threat Stuttgart possess. 

Finishing fifth in the table gave them more room to focus on the domestic front recently. With 25 wins, 3 draws and just a solitary loss, Porto sit top of the Liga Portugal with four points to spare over Sporting Lisbon. 

Perhaps even more impressively, head coach Francesco Farioli’s has only leaked 17 goals in 38 games across all competitions. If a solid defence remains as their backbone, Stuttgart could be in for a frustrating night.

Team news: 

VfB Stuttgart will be grateful that their bill of health is in a decent state for tomorrow. Only Josha Vagnoman (thigh) and young talent Lazar Jovanovic (back) are the only doubts for tomorrow night’s clash. 

Centre-half Nehuén Pérez (achilles rupture), Luuk de Jong and Samu Aghehowa (both ACL tears) remain as the only long-term absentees for Porto. Regardless, the their squad quality should be well able to cope without them.

Predicted lineups:

VfB Stuttgart (4-3-2-1): Nübel – Assignon, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstädt – Stiller, Karazor – Leweling, Undav, El Khannouss – Demirovic 

FC Porto (4-3-3): D.Costa – A.Costa, Bednarek, Kiwior, Sanusi – Froholdt, Varela, Viega – Pepe, Guel, Gomes