Samu was relatively quiet by his usual standards in Porto’s opening Club World Cup match against Palmeiras, managing just one shot on target in a game where Porto only registered three in total. However, he is expected to pose a much greater threat in their next fixture, which Porto must win to keep their hopes alive in the competition.  

After joining Porto from Deportivo Alavés amid strong interest from Chelsea, Samu enjoyed a superb debut season in 24/25 for Porto. He scored 25 goals in 43 appearances, proving himself as a consistent and reliable finisher. Of those, 19 came in Liga Portugal from just 23 starts, underlining his efficiency in front of goal. Notably, he averaged 1.35 shots on target per 90 minutes in the league, demonstrating his ability to regularly test the opposition goalkeeper.  

Porto’s opening game against Palmeiras was always likely to be their toughest group stage challenge, so the remaining fixtures should offer a more favourable opportunity for them to assert themselves. With Samu leading the line, Porto have a clear and potent goal threat who can help steer them to victory.

Busquets committed a foul and contested 12 duels in Inter Miami’s opening game of the Club World Cup which ended in a 0-0 draw against Al Ahly. Busquets was shown a yellow card in the game and could be in for a busy evening here seeing as he will be up against a Porto side that managed to draw 20 fouls from Palmeiras in their opening game of the Club World Cup.

Busquets is set to line up against a duo of Alan Varela and Gabi Veiga in the middle of the park for Porto. Varela was fouled twice against Palmeiras while Veiga was also hauled down on one occasion. Varela averaged 1.06 fouls won per 90 across his 31 appearances for Porto during the 24/25 season in Liga Portugal. Veiga averaged 0.64 fouls won per 90 across his 32 appearances in the Saudi Pro League last term.

Busquets has committed 13 fouls across his 15 appearances for Inter Miami in the MLS this season (0.87 per 90). He should find himself more regularly tested here than he is week by week in the MLS which should see Busquets foul average for the season rise slightly when faced up by European opposition.

Porto’s number one keeper in Diogo Costa is injured at the moment, he may return for the latter stages of the tournament should Porto progress to the knockout stages but for now, 33 year old Claudio Ramos is set to start between the sticks for Porto just as he did in the opening game against Palmeiras.

Ramos was forced into making four saves in that game, picking up man of the match for his performance which was pretty impressive when considering that Palmeiras managed to record an xG of 2.08 - Ramos himself ended the game with a 1.98 goals prevented tally which will fill him with confidence heading into this fixture. Inter Miami drew five saves from Al Ahly’s keeper in their opening game of the tournament. 

The absence of Diogo Costa may also tempt Inter Miami to shoot from range to try and test Ramos. The backup keeper only made seven appearances for Porto during the 24/25 season, he did average 2.50 saves per 90 across these games which would suggest he is a decent enough backup keeper to make at least two saves in Porto’s second game of the Club World Cup. 

Messi was inches away from scoring his first goal at the Club World Cup in the opening game against Al Ahly, striking the crossbar late on to deny Inter Miami a victory to kick off their group. Inter Miami may be able to take advantage of the weaknesses that Porto showed at the back in their opening game of the tournament against Palmeiras, the Brazilian side didn’t manage to score, but posted an xG of 2.08. 

A goal contribution for Messi shouldn’t be too far away at this tournament, he’s registered 20 goal contributions across his 21 appearances for Inter Miami this season (15 goals, 5 assists), these are more than impressive numbers for a player that will soon turn 38. 

As well as striking the woodwork in the opening game, Messi had five of Inter Miami’s 14 shots and two of the five attempts that found the target. He also completed the most dribbles of any player (3), was fouled more times than any player (3) and created two chances in the game. These numbers indicate that Messi can still produce at the very highest level and will fancy his chances against Porto’s backup keeper.

Varela can be quite reckless in the middle of the park for Porto, he received nine yellow cards across his 26 starts for Porto in Liga Portugal during the 24/25 season - no player received more cautions last campaign for Porto than Varela.

He’ll have a tough task here facing up against Sergio Busquets who has shown that he is still strong when it comes to winning fouls, despite his age. Busquets has won 31 fouls across his 15 appearances in the MLS this season (2.08 per 90).

Varela could find himself also having to deal with Lionel Messi who likes to drop in and be involved in the game in the exact area where Varela will be operating. Messi is averaging 1.78 fouls won per 90 in the MLS this season and the Argentine was hauled down on three occasions in Inter Miami’s opening game against Al Ahly - more than any other player on the pitch.

Porto received two cards in their opening game against Palmeiras and frustration could get the better of them here in a game you feel that they must win if they are to have a concrete chance of progressing from the group and qualifying for the knockout stages.

Porto can be quite a feisty side, they ranked fourth during the 24/25 season for yellow cards in Liga Portugal, picking up 90 across their 34 games (2.64 per game). They also received four red cards throughout the campaign, further underscoring their tendency to lose their heads, especially when things aren’t going their way.