FC Porto vs Nice: Preview, Prediction, Lineups

FC Porto vs Nice — Match Preview

The Estádio do Dragão prepares for a European night of contrasting emotions this Thursday as FC Porto host OGC Nice. The Portuguese giants, currently 14th in the League Phase with 7 points, are finding their rhythm under manager Francesco Farioli. They enter this match unbeaten in their last three European outings and will be looking to solidify a top-8 push against familiar faces.

For Franck Haise’s Nice, the situation is dire. Sitting 35th with zero points from four matches, the French side is effectively fighting for pride and a miracle. Following a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Marseille in Ligue 1 and a string of European losses, confidence is at rock bottom. With Farioli facing his former club, expect a tactical battle where Porto’s possession structure meets Nice’s desperate need for a result.

FC Porto vs Nice — Quick Match Info

Fixture: FC Porto vs OGC Nice
Competition: UEFA Europa League (League Phase – Matchday 5)
Venue: Estádio do Dragão, Porto (Capacity: 50,033)
Date: Thursday, 27 November 2025
Kickoff Time: 17:45 GMT / 18:45 CET / 23:15 IST
Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia)
TV Channel (UK): TNT Sports
TV Channel (USA): Paramount+, CBS Sports
TV Channel (India): Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV, JioTV
Live Stream: Discovery+ (UK), Paramount+ (USA), SonyLIV (India)

FC Porto vs Nice — Match Context (2025/26 Season)

FC Porto:

Position: 14th in Europa League (7 Points).
Form: Steady. They have recovered well from an early stumble, winning 2 and drawing 1 of their last 3 in Europe. Domestically, they are coming off a 3-0 Cup win vs Sintrense and a gritty 1-0 win vs Famalicão.
Current Challenge: Breaking down a desperate low block. Farioli will want his team to control the tempo against his old employers.

Nice:

Position: 35th in Europa League (0 Points).
Form: Crisis. Four losses in four European games, with a -5 goal difference. Domestically, the 1-5 loss to Marseille was a new low.
Current Challenge: stopping the rot. They haven’t won a game in any competition since late October. Defensively, they look fragile, conceding 11 goals in their last 4 matches.

FC Porto vs Nice — What’s at Stake

For FC Porto:

Top 8 Ambition: A win takes them to 10 points, putting them firmly in the conversation for automatic Round of 16 qualification.
Farioli’s Pride: The manager will want to show his former club exactly what they are missing.

For Nice:

Survival: A loss here confirms their exit from the competition in all but mathematics. They need a point to restore some dignity to their season.

FC Porto vs Nice — Team Form

FC Porto (Last 5 Matches):

W vs Sintrense (3-0 – Cup)
W vs Famalicão (1-0)
D vs Utrecht (1-1 – EL)
W vs Braga (2-1)
W vs Moreirense (2-1)

Nice (Last 5 Matches):

L vs Marseille (1-5)
L vs Metz (1-2)
L vs Freiburg (1-3 – EL)
L vs PSG (0-1)
W vs Lille (2-0)

FC Porto vs Nice — Team News

FC Porto:

Nehuén Pérez: Doubtful (Tendon Injury).
Defensive Shuffle: With Pérez doubtful, youngster Dominik Prpic is expected to start in central defense.
Rotation: Claudio Ramos is predicted to start in goal, giving Diogo Costa a rest (or tactical switch) for this fixture.
Attacking Threat: Summer signing Samu Aghehowa leads the line, supported by the creative Gabri Veiga.

Nice:

Injury Crisis: The spine of the team is broken. Mohamed Abdelmonem (ACL) and Youssouf Ndayishimiye (ACL) are long-term absentees.
Hicham Boudaoui: Out (Back Injury).
Moïse Bombito: Out (Broken Ankle).
Midfield: Salis Abdul Samed anchors a makeshift midfield alongside Charles Vanhoutte.
Attack: Terem Moffi returns to lead the line, looking to exploit Porto’s high line on the counter.

FC Porto vs Nice — Head to Head

No Previous Meetings: This is the first official competitive match between FC Porto and OGC Nice.
Narrative: The biggest link is Francesco Farioli, who managed Nice last season before moving to Ajax and then Porto.

FC Porto vs Nice — Predicted Lineups

FC Porto (4-2-3-1):

Farioli deploys an attacking midfield trio behind the striker. Pablo Rosario faces his former club.

GK: Claudio Ramos
RB: Martim Fernandes
CB: Pablo Rosario
CB: Dominik Prpic
LB: Francisco Moura
CDM: Alan Varela (C)
CDM: Stephen Eustáquio
RW: Pepê
CAM: Gabri Veiga
LW: Borja Sainz
ST: Samu Aghehowa

Nice (3-4-3):

Haise shifts to a back three to try and stop the bleeding defensively.

GK: Yehvann Diouf
CB: Antoine Mendy
CB: Juma Bah
CB: Kojo Peprah
RWB: Jonathan Clauss
CM: Salis Abdul Samed
CM: Charles Vanhoutte
LWB: Melvin Bard (C)
RW: Mohamed-Ali Cho
ST: Terem Moffi
LW: Sofiane Diop

FC Porto vs Nice — Impact Bench Options

FC Porto:

Deniz Gül: The Turkish forward has been effective off the bench. If Samu struggles, Gül offers a different physical profile.
Rodrigo Mora: The teenage sensation can unlock tight defenses with his dribbling if the game is deadlocked.

Nice:

Jérémie Boga: Explosive pace. If Nice are chasing the game or playing on the counter, Boga is their best weapon to carry the ball 40 yards.
Tanguy Ndombele: Offers press-resistance and creativity in midfield if Vanhoutte gets overwhelmed.

FC Porto vs Nice — Tactical Outlook

FC Porto:

Playing Style: Controlled Dominance. Farioli wants to dominate the ball. With Varela and Eustáquio controlling the base, Veiga will float between the lines. They will target Nice’s inexperienced center-backs (Bah and Peprah).
Weakness: Set Pieces. Without Pérez and with a rotated goalkeeper, Porto might be vulnerable to dead-ball situations if Nice can win corners.

Nice:

Playing Style: Survival Mode. Haise knows his defense is leaking goals (9 in 4 games). Expect a low block, trying to crowd the box and hit long balls to Moffi or Cho.
Strength: Wing-Backs. Clauss and Bard are excellent crossers. If they can get forward, they can hurt Porto’s narrow shape.

FC Porto vs Nice — Key Battles

Matchup	Battle Type	Edge
Borja Sainz vs. Jonathan Clauss	Flank War: Sainz is in great scoring form. Clauss loves to attack but leaves space behind. If Clauss is caught upfield, Sainz will punish him.	Porto
Alan Varela vs. Sofiane Diop	The Filter: Varela must stop Diop from drifting inside. If Diop finds space in “Zone 14,” he is Nice’s only real creative hope.	Porto
Samu Aghehowa vs. Juma Bah	Physical Mismatch: Samu is a handful physically. Bah is young and inexperienced at this level. Expect Samu to target him on crosses.	Porto

FC Porto vs Nice — Spotlight Players

Gabri Veiga (FC Porto):

The Spanish playmaker has settled well at the Dragão. His ability to arrive late in the box and shoot from distance will be vital against a Nice team that will likely pack the penalty area.

Terem Moffi (Nice):

The Nigerian striker often cuts a lonely figure in games like this, but he only needs one chance. His pace and strength make him the perfect outlet for a struggling team. If Porto’s high line gets lazy, Moffi will race through.

FC Porto vs Nice — Fan Reactions

FC Porto Fans:

“Farioli beating his old team would be sweet. We need to boost that goal difference!”

“Nice have conceded 5 goals last week? Samu is going to feast.”

Nice Fans:

“0 points, 0 hope. Just show some fight for the badge.”

“Our defense is a disaster. If we keep the score under 3-0, it’s a success.”

FC Porto vs Nice — Match-Defining Factors

Nice’s Confidence: It is non-existent. If Porto score in the first 15 minutes, Nice could collapse like they did against Marseille.
The “Farioli” Knowledge: The Porto manager knows most of the Nice players inside out—their weaknesses, their triggers, and their habits. This is a massive tactical advantage.
Porto’s Right Side: The combination of Pepê and Martim Fernandes is electric. Nice’s Melvin Bard will be pinned back all night.

FC Porto vs Nice — Prediction

Score Prediction: FC Porto 3–0 Nice

Betting Insights:

Outcome: FC Porto to Win (-1 Handicap).
Total Goals: Over 2.5 Goals (Porto will score; Nice defense is broken).
Anytime Goalscorer: Samu Aghehowa or Borja Sainz.

Analysis: It is hard to see anything other than a comfortable home win. Porto are stable, confident, and playing at home. Nice are in freefall, decimated by injuries, and tactically lost. Farioli’s men should control this from start to finish.

FC Porto vs Nice — Final Word

This match feels like a formality for FC Porto, but football is rarely that simple. Nice are wounded animals fighting for their European lives. However, the tactical edge of Francesco Farioli facing his former team, combined with Nice’s defensive injury crisis, suggests a long, difficult night for the visitors at the Dragão.

FC Porto vs Nice — FAQs

When is the Porto vs Nice match?

The match kicks off on Thursday, 27 November 2025, at 17:45 GMT (23:15 IST).

Who is the Porto manager?

Francesco Farioli is the current head coach of FC Porto.

Is Hicham Boudaoui playing?

No, Hicham Boudaoui is out with a back injury.

Where can I watch the match in India?

You can watch live on Sony Sports Network and stream on SonyLIV.

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