FC Porto v Chelsea: Jose Mourinho once claimed he was regarded as something of a demigod in these parts. No more. The relationship between the man who led Porto to the European Cup and his former club has soured. The damage appears irreparable, to the extent the principal focus of this match is concerns over the behaviour of fans.

Helder Mota, a leading member of the Super Dragoes supporters' group, issued death threats to Mourinho on the eve of his and Porto's finest hour last season. Mota was ejected from Porto's 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge in September and banned from tonight's return for attempting to spit at Mourinho.

With Mota declaring his intention to ignore the banning order, it is said "something special" has been planned for Mourinho, prompting the Chelsea manager to withdraw from last night's press conference. Mourinho's assistant Steve Clarke spoke and his spiky words surely echoed his manager's sentiments.

When asked which he considered to be the bigger club - the European champions or Chelsea, who are without a domestic league title in 49 years - Clarke chose to sneer. "We think we're a big club," he said. "We have to respect Porto's achievements over the past two years; they're the European champions but I think you are a big club because of the way you conduct your business on and off the pitch.

"We are trying to get to the top of our profession by being English and European champions, but there is more to being a big club than winning trophies. It's how you conduct yourself and you look after your employees. I think anyone who has ever been at Chelsea, left and come back has been well treated and well received. If they ever came back with another team they would get a tremendous reception."

Though ostensibly Mourinho seems to be cowering in the face of an assault, it would be wrong to make judgments on appearances. Mourinho once strode out alone at the Estadio da Luz before a return to Benfica, another of his former clubs, with Porto. Knowing he would be subjected to torrents of abuse, Mourinho allowed Benfica fans to expend their fury before the match in a ploy to protect his team.

Porto are no longer the side they were, following the losses of Ricardo Carvalho, Tiago and Paulo Ferreira to Chelsea and Deco to Barcelona. Those departures have left Porto's Champions League defence 90 minutes away from ending in a humiliating group-stage exit.

Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, Porto's president, was questioned last Friday in connection with alleged bribery of referees as part of the "golden whistle" investigation. He is due to appear in court today.

Mourinho was typically candid in a recent interview with the Portuguese magazine Espreso. "I do not have to do Porto any favours," said Mourinho. " I don't even want Porto to qualify because I want to win the group."

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

CHELSEA (4-3-3): Cech; Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge; Geremi, Makelele, Lampard; Robben, Drogba, Duff.

FC PORTO (4-4-2): Nuno; Seitaridis, Jorge Costa, Pedro Emanuel, Ricardo Costa; Maniche, Costinha, Diego, Derlei; Quaresma, McCarthy.