Champions League Group G: Falcao and Mourinho face Porto return

Chelsea take their Champions League Group G show on the road to Portuguese giants Porto, allowing mercurial manager Jose Mourinho another return to the club he famously won this competition with in 2004.

Mourinho is 15/8 to triumph in this Estadio do Dragao duel, as his embattled Blues search for a reprieve from their Premier League problems. Yet, it may not be completely smooth sailing.

The crafty Portuguese coach has a mixed record at old stomping grounds around Europe, having knocked Chelsea out of this tournament on the way to winning the lot back in 2010 with Inter Milan, though has only managed a draw and defeat in Oporto.

Spirit was shown as substitutes Ramires and Willian’s strikes meant Chelsea clawed back to clinch a draw against Newcastle United last time out, and a splitting of spoils is 11/5 to occur again here, with the brilliant Brazilian duo both 11/2 in the anytime market.

The Londoners have had more success in cup competitions this campaign, smashing four past Maccabi Tel Aviv in their last continental outing, and do hold the head-to-head record against this Oporto outfit with four victories and one draw from six fixtures.

Defence has been a problem for the porous Blues this season, so Mourinho’s men appear excellent value at 11/2 to win and both teams to score, rather than 18/5 for a victory to nil.

Should Chelsea decide to shuffle their attacking pack after lacklustre showings, another prodigal son formerly of Porto could be charged with poaching against his old club.