Preview: Porto vs. Atletico Madrid

Porto and Atletico Madrid know that three points in their Champions League fixture on Tuesday would allow them to take charge of Group G in the early stages of the campaign.

The Portuguese giants began their 2013-14 European season with a 1-0 win over Austria Vienna on September 18, the same night that Atletico picked up all three points with a 3-1 win over Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg at the Vicente Calderon.

The Portuguese outfit won all four of their home fixtures in last season's Champions League, scoring eight times and conceding just twice. They also eliminated Atletico in the round of 16 when the two sides met in the 2008-09 campaign.

The hosts will enter the match full of confidence following an unbeaten start to their league season, while Atletico are enjoying a stunning start in La Liga, with Saturday's 1-0 win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu making it seven wins from seven matches thus far.

Porto have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the European tie and could name the same XI that opened their campaign against Austria Vienna, which would mean Silvestre Varela once more providing support to Jackson Martinez.

Lucho Gonzalez is also expected to skipper the team from midfield, but Nabil Ghilas could also come into Paulo Fonseca's thinking against the Spanish outfit.

Meanwhile, Atletico boss Diego Simeone could fresh up his midfield from the weekend with Raul Garcia coming into the side to replace Tiago. However, Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld, who joined from Ajax in the summer, will have to wait for his first start for the capital outfit.

Brazilian forward Leo Baptistao is also pushing for a start in attack with Diego Costa still suspended, but there will be no Adrian Lopez as the Spaniard continues his recovery from a long-term injury.

Recent form

Porto: WWWDW

Atletico: WWWWW

Possible starting lineups

Porto: Helton; Sandro, Otamendi, Mangala, Danilo; Fernando, Josue, Gonzalez, Lica; Martinez, Varela

Atletico: Courtois; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Luis; Koke, Gabi, Garcia; Turan, Baptistao, Villa

Sports Mole says: 1-1