Club Brugge midfielder Rapheal Onyedika will battle compatriot and FC Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi in a Group B clash on match-day five of the UEFA Champions League in Brugge seeking to complete a double over the Portuguese champions on Wednesday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
In the reverse fixture between both clubs at Estádio Do Dragão Sept 13, Brugge triumphed 4-0. Ferran Jutglà struck first for the Belgian side in the 15th minute from the penalty spot, while Kamal Sowah, Andreas Skov Olsen and Antonio Nusa also found the net.
Brugge will be banking on Onyedika to extend their unbeaten run in the competition when they face Porto, who are not only desperate to secure a place in the next round, but also to make up for a 1-0 Classico defeat to Benfica last Friday.
Onyedika, who has starred in all four previous group games for Brugge, will make his 25th European appearance if fielded by coach Carl Hoefkens.
Brugge are yet to concede in the Champions League this season and will not roll over easily, but their early qualification can open the door for a crucial away win for Sanusi and his teammates at Jan Breydelstadion with the hosts looking to secure a place in the knockout round as well.
Porto have one win and one loss from their trips in the competition this season. The Portuguese champions are looking to add to a four-match away unbeaten streak (W3 D1 L0) in all competitions.
In their last six matches in all competitions, Brugge won three, drew two and lost one. They scored eight and conceded four in that period, scoring first in four of the six contests. They had four first-half goals, while their opponents netted once in the first 45 minutes.
At the Johann Cruyff Arena, Calvin Bassey must be in top form to help Ajax beat Liverpool to remain in the Champions League, when the two sides meet today.
After beating Glasgow Rangers 4-0 in their opening match, the Dutch champions appeared to have a decent chance of reaching the knockout stages this season.
However, three successive defeats have left Alfred Schreuder’s side six points adrift Liverpool with two matches remaining, meaning that they must beat the 2018/19 champions and hope that Napoli do the same on the final match-day if they are to progress to the next round.
Ajax are currently in third position with three points after four games.
Meanwhile, a point would be good enough to see the Reds progress to the knockout stages with one match to spare, although Jurgen Klopp’s side may require a victory if they are to stand a chance of toppling Napoli at the top of Group A.
Striker Victor Osimhenn is expected to lead the attack of Napoli, who are in ominous form ahead of their match-day five clash with struggling Rangers.
The Gers are yet to collect a point in the group stages, while the Partenopei equaled a 36-year club record of 11 wins in a row in all competitions at the weekend with a 1-0 win at Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
Osimhen will look to score his second goal in the competition in the encounter.
