Real Betis host Porto on 14 October in Champions League's return to La Cartuja

Setting the scene

Real Betis host FC Porto at La Cartuja in Seville on 14 October, in the second matchday of the Champions League league phase. Kickoff is at 21:00 in Seville (20:00 in Lisbon), and the match brings the competition back to the Betis home ground for the first time in eleven years. Manuel Pellegrini's side are third in LaLiga EA Sports after eight matchdays with 19 points, and they beat Lille 2-3 in their Champions League debut. Betis have lost only one of their nine matches this season and have won seven home games in a row. A second win in two matches would improve their chances of qualifying. The last European tie at La Cartuja was a Europa League quarter-final against Sporting de Braga, a Portuguese side that eliminated Betis.

Porto's form

Porto lead the Portuguese league after winning their first eight matches, and they have also won the Portuguese Supercup. Manchester City, which won 2-0 in the Champions League opener, is the only side to have beaten them this season. Porto have won every away match this season and have conceded six goals so far. Their last game was a win over Marítimo on Saturday, 10 October. Farioli recalled that his side attacked for more than 80 minutes in that match and had to defend in the final five minutes. He framed the trip to Seville around adapting to the game:

On our side, there is always a clear intention. This team has the DNA to adapt very well to what the game is giving.

What Betis bring

Farioli described Betis as a side that is excellent on the ball and lethal in transitions. He also said Betis lead LaLiga in attacking set pieces. Porto's defence will be tested by a side that has the threats to force Porto to play at their best:

They have so many threats that they will demand our best version.

Pellegrini rested Marc Bartra, Dani Ceballos and Troy Parrott in the league match on Saturday, 10 October. All three are being tipped to start against Porto, and Betis will need to break down a Porto defence that has conceded only six goals this season.

Squad news

Porto travelled to Seville with 24 players. Zaidu, Nehuén Pérez and João Costa have recovered from their physical problems, and youth players Luís Gomes and João Teixeira from the B team are in the group. Vasco Sousa and William Gomes are injured, and João Afonso did not travel. Jan Bednarek is serving the last of two suspension matches, and Chris Smalling, Dominik Prpić and Gabriel Mec are not registered for the competition. Betis also named 24 players. Antony is fit after being at risk, while Aitor Ruibal and Junior Firpo are still recovering from injury. Iker Losada is out because he is not registered for the competition.

Matchday arrangements

Porto's usual pitch walk at La Cartuja was scheduled for 17:45 Lisbon time (18:45 in Seville). A press conference with Farioli and a player followed 15 minutes later, and Samu took part in the pre-match media session. French referee Clément Turpin will officiate the match.

1. Pitch walk, 17:45 Lisbon timePorto's usual pitch walk at La Cartuja, 18:45 in Seville
2. Press conference, 18:00 Lisbon timeFarioli and a player meet the media, 15 minutes after the pitch walk
3. Kickoff, 20:00 Lisbon timeReal Betis v FC Porto, 21:00 in Seville, refereed by Clément Turpin