Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw
Best Odds: 6/1
FC Porto and Arsenal will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Champions League this week. The first leg of the Round of 16 between the Portuguese club and the Premier League outfit will be held at Estádio do Dragão and is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm UK time on Wednesday.
FC Porto
FC Porto are one of the biggest clubs in Portugal and have a rich history in Europe. They won the UEFA Champions League under Jose Mourinho back in 2004. Porto regularly play in Europe’s most premier club competition and try to get into the knockout rounds.
Sergio Conceicao’s side finished second in the Primeira Liga table last season and are aiming to win it this time around. Porto are third in the standings at the moment with 48 points from 22 matches, seven points behind leaders Benfica, who have played 22 games.
FC Porto qualified for the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League this season after finishing second in Group H. They picked up 12 points from six matches, as many as group winners Barcelona and three more than third-placed FC Shakhtar Donetsk.
Team News:
FC Porto could be without Mehdi Taremi after the club confirmed the Iranian striker was struggling with a thigh injury sustained in training on Sunday. The Portuguese giants are already missing Nigerian full-back Zaidu Sanusi, who is out for the season with a knee injury. Centre-back Ivan Marcano is another long-term absentee.
Arsenal
Arsenal are having a very good season. The Gunners are in the running for the Premier League title and are also doing well in the UEFA Champions League. There is a very good chance that the North London club could win a major trophy this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side are third in the Premier League table at the moment with 55 points from 25 matches. Arsenal are only two points behind leaders Liverpool. The North London club hammered Burnley 5-0 away from home at Turf Moor in the Premier League this past weekend which came after a 6-0 defeat of West Ham United at London Stadium.
Arsenal have not played in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League since the 2009-10 season. The Gunners qualified for the Round of 16 after winning Group B with 13 points from six matches, picking up four more points than second-placed PSV Eindhoven.
Team News:
Arsenal and Ghana international midfielder Thomas Partey has returned to training after four months out with a thigh injury, while playmaker Fabio Vieira is nearing a comeback after having groin surgery in November. Gabriel Jesus (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (niggle) remain doubtful after missing the Premier League match against Burnley this past weekend.
Key Factors to Consider
- Arsenal have won all three of their home Champions League games against Porto by an aggregate score of 11-0.
- FC Porto have been eliminated from seven of their eight Champions League knockout ties against English opposition.
- Arsenal have scored more first-half goals than any other side in the Champions League this season, with 12 of their 16 strikes coming before the half-time interval.
- Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus has been involved in 20 goals in his past 18 Champions League starts (15 goals, 5 assists).
- FC Porto have scored seven goals in their past two Champions League home games.
Conclusion
Playing at home will give FC Porto an advantage and they will fancy their chances of winning by a narrow margin. However, Arsenal have a better team, and the Premier League club will know that even a draw in Portugal will be a good result for them. The match in Porto on Wednesday evening is likely to end in a draw.
Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw
Best Odds: 6/1
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