Betis Hand Antony the Stage as Porto Unleash André Silva in Champions League Opener

Real Betis and FC Porto have confirmed their starting XIs for tonight's Champions League meeting at the Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla, and the two team sheets set up a clear contrast in how each side intends to attack.

Betis line up in a 4-2-3-1. Antony and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli are both named in the attacking line behind the striker, giving the home side two direct, ball-carrying wide threats. The double pivot behind them is designed to screen the back four and feed those runners early rather than build slowly through the middle.

Porto answer with a 4-3-3. André Silva leads the line, with Borja Sainz and Pepe either side of him. Alan Varela anchors the midfield three, and the shape gives Porto a natural triangle in central areas plus two wide forwards who can pin Betis's full-backs.

The most obvious pressure point is out wide. Betis have loaded their attacking midfield with Antony and Ezzalzouli, two players who want the ball at feet and want to isolate a defender. Porto's 4-3-3 asks its full-backs to push high and its wide forwards to tuck in, which leaves space in behind if Betis can switch play quickly.

That is the trade Porto appear willing to make. With Varela sitting, the visitors have a midfielder whose job is to cover the channels when the full-backs advance. If Betis's wide pair can beat the first press, the home side will get running room. If Porto's midfield three can squeeze that space, Betis's front four risk being starved of service.

Porto's selection is built around André Silva as the reference striker. Borja Sainz and Pepe are the runners around him, and the 4-3-3 gives Porto a structure that can go direct to Silva or play through the thirds. Silva's hold-up play is the hinge: if he can keep possession under pressure from Betis's centre-backs, Porto can push their midfield higher and turn the match into a territorial fight.

Betis's 4-2-3-1 is set up to prevent exactly that. Two holding midfielders in front of the back four is a deliberate choice to protect the central corridor and force Porto wide, where the home side's full-backs can double up with the wide attackers.

Both managers have named their full matchday squads, and the confirmed XIs carry no late surprises in the starting line-ups. The key names are all present: Antony and Ezzalzouli for Betis, Varela, André Silva and Borja Sainz for Porto.

The game at La Cartuja is the first Champions League outing of this campaign for both clubs, and the team sheets suggest neither side is treating it as a cagey opener. Betis have stacked their attacking midfield with dribblers; Porto have gone with a recognised centre-forward and two wide runners. The first 20 minutes should reveal which shape imposes itself.

Kick-off is at La Cartuja, with both sides confirmed and no in-play totals yet on the board.