After two rounds of the Europa League general stage, Porto can be considered the strongest club with unrealised potential. The Portuguese team started their league journey with a game against Budo/Glimt on Norwegian soil. Porto scored first in that match, but not only lost, but did it by playing almost the whole second half with the numerical advantage of the players. The second match in the Europa League was the most spectacular of the whole match day of the tournament. Manchester United visited the Dragao and led 2-0 by the middle of the first half. After half an hour of game time, at the start of the second half, Porto not only equalised but also took a 3-2 lead. It wasn't until extra time that MJ equalised, making it one point full possession for the Portuguese in the two matches played. Hoffenheim have been more successful in the Europa League. Having played frankly badly in the Bundesliga, the Villagers picked up four points in two rounds. The German club drew 1-1 against Middtjylland in Denmark, followed by a 2-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv in Sinsheim. Bookmakers have expectedly identified the hosts as favourites for the upcoming meeting, offering odds of 1.55 on their victory.

Porto took third place in the past national championship, which for the first time in a long time sent the club to the second tournament in Europe. Now the team is doing well in the Portuguese league. It is three points behind Sporting, who scored the maximum number of points. Actually, Porto lost the only meeting in the championship to this principal rival. After hosting Manchester United, Vitor Bruno's men have won two matches in national tournaments, but they are still indebted to their fans, so they will be aggressive in attack in the upcoming encounter.

Hoffenheim started the new season in the Bundesliga much worse than in previous years. Before the last round, the "village" were on the third from the end position of the standings with four points at the end of six rounds. Another thing is that October was more successful for the team than the previous two months of the season. In three games, they got two wins and once, in Stuttgart, parted ways with their opponents. The visitors are hardly able to play strictly from defence, so we should expect at least three goals in this meeting.