Chelsea vs Porto score predictions: Confidence ahead of second leg

Chelsea is back in Spain for the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals against Porto. The Blues won the first meeting between the two sides last week, 2-0, but not without some frightening moments. The Dragoes sat back for the first 10 minutes before going on an offensive onslaught that had the Blues’ back line shaking in their boots. Thanks to some heroics from Edouard Mendy, the home side did not score at all. Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell gave the visitors a 2-0 advantage heading into the second leg.

Porto gets Sergio Oliveira and Mehdi Taremi—two of its most threatening attackers—back from suspension for the second leg. Thomas Tuchel’s side is the heavy favorite right now, but it will need to remain focused if it wants to reach the UCL semifinals against the winner of Real Madrid versus Liverpool.

Here is how The Pride of London staff sees Tuesday’s match playing out:

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Varun Dani: 2-0 Chelsea

Porto faced the Blues when they were at their worst after the humbling against West Brom, but failed to take advantage. The win was just the pick me up Tuchel’s men needed as they put in their best performance against Crystal Palace over the weekend. That momentum will carry over to this game, as Chelsea books its place in the UCL semifinals for the first time in seven years.

Scott Brant: 1-1 Draw (CFC advances 3-1 on aggregate)

I can see the Blues going up early then knowing it’s basically over and closing down shop. Porto scores late due to a defensive blunder, but it makes no difference. For Pete’s sake, has any one seen Tammy Abraham? I am beginning to worry, we may need to send out a search party near the West Ham or Everton stadiums. I wish Tuchel would utilize him in a better way. Timo Werner gets on the score sheet, nets a beauty on a counter.

Nate Hofmann: 1-2 Porto (CFC advances 3-2 on aggregate)

The Blues really shouldn’t try and play it cautious, but it’s almost inevitable that solidity at the back will take precedence over sharpness in attack. That over-focus on defending will probably lead to Porto having enough of a stranglehold on the match to make things incredibly uncomfortable. My guess is Porto scores early, Chelsea gets one right after halftime, then Porto grabs one in the last few minutes to really jangle the nerves for those final moments. Good times.

Olly Smith: 3-1 Chelsea

The Blues finally had an attacking performance worth watching against Palace and with Porto needing to score, expect more fireworks up front. The Dragoes have to be on the front foot, so Tuchel will utilize Werner’s speed to catch the defence out while Callum Hudson-Odoi will come on late and add insult to injury. Can we speak an Abraham appearance into existence?!

Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 2-0 Chelsea

Chelsea has played the theoretically more difficult match already. Though that scoreline flattered the Blues, “undeserving” results like that are required in the Champions League. Tuchel’s side has been very good at home in the Champions League, even though it’s not technically at home. Some players have now come back into form, and it would be good to see them kick on. The Dragoes would have to be as adventurous as they were in the first leg to get anything out of this tie, and that could work beautifully in Chelsea’s favour.

Tan Yi Hao: 2-0 Chelsea

It’s a season-defining week for Chelsea and as the team has proven time and again under Tuchel, the Blues should be more than up to the task at hand. They’ll kick off the week with a straightforward 2-0 win against Porto.

Mike Malley: 1-1 Draw (CFC advances 3-1 on aggregate)

We seemed to have finally discovered Chelsea’s most in-form front three during the match against Palace, so Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount will likely be leading the line on Tuesday. The defense will be of much greater significance, though, as the Blues simply need to keep the ball out of their own net in order to advance. Kurt Zouma, Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta looked like a dominant unit against the Eagles, so expect to see those names in the starting XI, as well.

Anthony Gatt: 1-0 Chelsea

Porto will have much better side with Taremi and Oliveira returning from suspension, but I believe that won’t be enough. The Blues will claim a 1-0 win and a first trip to the semi finals since 2014.

Michael DeVito: 2-0 Chelsea

Tuchel’s shutdown defense with Rudiger, Azpilicueta and Christensen (if available, or Silva, if not) should do the job. A brace from Werner would do wonders for the club and his confidence.

Kevin Peacock: 2-1 Chelsea

Porto has to score in this game, it probably will, but that will play into Chelsea’s fast-attacking hands. Unless the Blues get an early goal, this game will be edgy. Chelsea to once again run out winners though, hopefully setting up an epic semifinal against Real Madrid. Goals from Havertz and Mount.

Abhishek Pancholi: 3-0 Chelsea

Buoyed by their weekend dismantling of Crystal Palace, the Blues will come out all guns blazing against a Porto side who won’t know what hit it. By the time the “visitors” come to terms with the events unfolding around them, Chelsea will be a goal up and have one foot in the semifinals. With nothing left to lose, Porto will need to go into all-out attack mode, playing right into the hands of Tuchel’s side. The Blues will finish the job with a swift counterattack and add another goal toward the end to announce their arrival as legitimate contenders.

Barrett Rouen: 2-1 Chelsea

We’ll win, but we’ll do it looking awful, as is the new style against everyone except Palace.

Gabe Henderson: 1-0 Chelsea

It took everything in me not to predict a 1-1 draw given the Blues’ tendency to switch off for just a moment in recent games. Porto will have to go at Chelsea throughout the match, but Sergio Conceicao knows that plays right into the hands of Tuchel, so he’ll be cautious in his approach. If not, this could be a bloodbath of a tie. The Blues escape narrow winners to advance to the semifinals where they will await the winner of Wednesday’s contest at Anfield.

What is your score prediction? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!