FC Barcelona's soccer players Pedro Rodriguez and Cesc Fabregas attend a news conference at Monaco's Grimaldi Forum in Monte-Carlo. Picture - Reuters.

It'll be an interesting night of European football as the continents two champions from last season - Barcelona and FC Porto - take on each other in the UEFA Super Cup.

Barcelona, having defeated Real Madrid in two legs, to take the Spanish Super Cup, will attempt to claim their second trophy in as many weeks.

The Catalans were 3-1 victors over Manchester United in May, as they secured their second Champions League trophy in three years. They hold the record for reaching the showpiece for the eighth time and Pep Guardiola's side are favourites to take the win today.

Finals are meaningful when you play against clubs with a great history - it was an honour to play against Manchester United and it's an honour to play against one of the strongest teams in the world now in Porto, said Guardiola on Thursday.

Mathematically their figures are impeccable and when you watch them play you can see they do things very well. I think it will be an excellent final, just like the Champions League was.

Porto were hugely impressive last season, sweeping through all before them. They took all the domestic trophies on offer as well as the Europa League. However, Andre Villas-Boas, the manager who guided them to glory, has left for Chelsea and his assistant Vitor Pereira has taken over the reins at the Portuguese champion's side. Porto will be without Radamel Falcao, who has moved on to Spain, and they will surely miss the 38 goals he scored last season.

New boss Pereira admitted that Barcelona were the best team in the world but insisted that he wouldn't change his formation to contain the Spaniards.

You can't stop Messi with any special tactic, said Pereira. You stop him with a strong team performance, by concentrating defensively, covering each other and anticipating intentions. You will see our own game plan and identity; you don't adapt to your opponent.

We're here on our own merit following a great season, Pereira said. We know Barcelona are a great team, but we're not here to see them play. We came here to win this game so we have the ingredients for a great spectacle.

Both sides play entertaining football, and it promises to be a thrilling night of European action.

Prediction

Barcelona 3-1 Porto

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