Stuttgart will host Porto at the MHPArena for the first leg of their Europa League round-of-16 tie. This marks the inaugural meeting between the two sides. Stuttgart advanced to this stage after a 4-2 aggregate victory over Celtic in the playoffs. Porto gained direct passage after finishing in the top eight of the league-phase standings.
Stuttgart’s Home Form and Recent Results
Stuttgart’s only blemish in their last 11 outings in all competitions was a 1-0 defeat to Celtic. Across those 11 outings, they have managed seven wins, two draws and two losses. That run also included a victory over Young Boys in their final league-phase fixture to secure an 11th-place finish in the 36-team standings. They are reaching the competition’s round of 16 for just the second time this century. The 1988-89 finalists will continue their quest for a first continental trophy. Stuttgart will be looking to seize control of their tie with Porto, buoyed by their strong form at the MHPArena.
Die Roten have won five of their seven competitive matches at the ground since the turn of the year, drawing one and losing one. They have scored at least three goals in four of those outings. Manager Hoeness will be seeking greater defensive solidity as Stuttgart have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last five continental matches.
Stuttgart are looking to improve upon a patchy run of form. The Reds have failed to win three of their last four matches, drawing two and losing one. This includes a 2-2 draw at Mainz last Saturday, leaving the Swabians fourth in the Bundesliga table, ahead of fifth-placed Leipzig only on goal difference.
Porto’s Form and Away Struggles
Porto enter this clash following a 2-2 stalemate in last weekend’s O Classico at Benfica. Francesco Farioli’s men squandered a two-goal lead. First-half strikes from Victor Froholdt and Oskar Pietuszewski were cancelled out after the interval.
Despite that slip-up, the Dragons remain four points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga table. The result further exposed their struggles on the road, having also suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Taca de Portugal semi-final at Sporting Lisbon five days earlier.
Porto have won just one of their last five away matches, drawing two and losing two. They are also without a victory in their last three Europa League trips, drawing two and losing one. The Portuguese giants secured fifth place in the 36-team table following a 3-1 home win over Rangers on matchday eight of the league phase. That finish ensured the Dragons improved on last season’s campaign, when they were eliminated by Roma in the Europa League playoffs.
Stuttgart and Porto prepare to face off in their first-ever meeting as they both look to progress in the Europa League.