Will Salzburg suffer another blow?
The new season is only about two months old, but Red Bull Salzburg is already in a serious crisis. Last weekend, their own fans responded to their performance in the home game against Sturm Graz with a chorus of boos. Against the reigning champions, Salzburg had virtually no chance – partly due to an early red card – and ultimately lost 0-2. It was already the third Bundesliga game in a row in which the men from Wals-Siezenheim remained winless.
The logical consequence is a slip to fifth place in the standings. Little by little, the former serial champions seem to be slipping into Austrian mediocrity. No wonder, then, that coach Thomas Letsch is now being viewed very critically and the former Bochum player has to fear for his job. Given this sad status quo for the Red and Whites, I see an away win between Red Bull Salzburg and Porto as a clear betting recommendation.
The situation is completely different for the visitors from Portugal, who have had a flawless season so far and have the maximum 18 points in the league after six matchdays. The change of coach from Martin Anselmi to Francesco Farioli following the disappointing Club World Cup seems to have paid off. The “Dragões” are brimming with confidence, having won four of their six competitive games by at least two goals and conceding only one goal in total.
In favor of higher odds, it therefore makes sense to choose between Red Bull Salzburg and Porto and predict a handicap victory for the favorites from southern Europe.
Including Champions League qualification, Letsch’s team has celebrated just two victories in six home games this season. Added to this is an uncharacteristic defensive weakness, which is reflected in ten goals conceded after seven Bundesliga matchdays. The pressure is growing week by week, the majority of fans are already calling for the coach to be sacked, and the club bosses are secretly fearing that they will disappear into sporting insignificance.
All of these are indicators that lower odds are being offered on the blue and whites from the Portuguese port city ahead of Thursday evening’s Europa League opener between Red Bull Salzburg and Porto. Everything is going according to plan for Farioli’s team. Among other things, they have already managed a 2-1 away win at Sporting Lisbon this season. The Dragons are sitting pretty at the top of the table and therefore have everything they need to be successful in Austria as well.
Red Bull Salzburg – Porto Head-to-head comparison / H2H record
The head-to-head comparison is quickly told. This is the first time the two clubs have faced each other in a competitive match. To date, RBS still has a positive record against Portuguese clubs (3-2-1), although they lost their last match 1-3 to Benfica Lisbon in the UEFA Champions League in December 2023.
Porto, meanwhile, has never lost a European Cup match against a representative from Austria. In six attempts, they have recorded five wins and one draw. However, the Blue and Whites have not faced a red-white-red Bundesliga club for over twelve years, so the influence of the H2H on the Red Bull Salzburg vs. Porto betting odds is completely negligible.
Red Bull Salzburg – Porto Tip
For the first time since 2018/19, RB Salzburg is back in the main draw of the UEFA Europa League. Back then, the long-standing Austrian league leaders achieved six wins in six group games. In general, RBS is now unbeaten in 15 EL preliminary round games. However, I expect this streak to come to an end around seven years later.
Salzburg has had a weak season so far, falling short of its own expectations and being mercilessly booed by its own fans over the weekend. According to rumors, coach Letsch is on the verge of being fired, and the defense is also making far too many mistakes.
On the other hand, the mood at FC Porto could hardly be better at the moment. Farioli’s team has won all six league games, conceding only one goal. I therefore expect another win for the favorites from Portugal, who are brimming with confidence and simply have the momentum on their side. Bet365 is offering odds of 2.05, which I am betting on with four out of a possible ten units as a fictitious stake.
