Champions League: How can Porto Handle the Explosive Gunners?

FC Porto vs Arsenal

Arsenal are back on the European trail on Wednesday when they head to Porto for a Round of 16 first leg clash. 

The hosts come into the game on the back of a 2-0 win over Estrela Amadora, a result which cemented their third place in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. Meanwhile Arsenal slapped Burnley 5-0 to keep their Premier League title hopes in good shape.

Mikel Arteta’s side has been rampant in recent weeks, and the Champions League odds have responded; and here at SBOTOP the Gunners are now third favourites to win the title at a price of 6.50. But Champions League: Porto vs Arsenal is a good test of the Londoners’ European credentials and Porto manager Sergio Conceicao will aim to help his team produce a shock result.  

Talking Points

Porto’s Samba threat

Conceicao’s boys were impressive at the group stage, finishing joint top with Barcelona on 12 points to qualify comfortably from Group H. And Porto’s Brazilian duo of Wenderson Galeno and Evanilson tore into opposition defences, scoring four goals from five games each and 26 year old winger Galeno also threw in three assists. Galeno bagged the opener in Porto’s 2-0 win over Estrela and made the assist for Neto’s second.

For his part, 24 year old striker Evanilson has attracted a lot of attention this season at home in Portugal and in Europe. He is ruthless in one on one situations, scoring eight goals in the last seven games and his pace and trickery helps him to turn defenders inside out. He has an eye for the spectacular goal and the Arsenal defence will need to keep a close eye on Evanilson.

And the Selecao theme runs through the Porto team with captain Pepe operating at right back, where he knows he’s going to have a hectic night on Wednesday.     

Saka is in the form of his life

In an Arsenal team blessed with attacking talent it is hard to pick put one individual, and Porto’s Pepe will look forward to meeting his Selecao team-mate Gabriel Martinelli, should the 22 year old get the nod on the left wing. In their trip away to Burnley Arsenal were in a different class to their hapless hosts as Martin Odegaard opened the floodgates with just four minutes o the clock. And while Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz got on the score-sheet it was Bukayo Saka who hit the Clarets the hardest with a goal in each half. The England man has scored seven goals in his last six league games and, with 13 goals and 12 assists this season for Arsenal he is one of the hottest properties in European football.   

Saka also scored twice in Arsenal’s 6-0 destruction of West Ham United last week while former Hammer Declan Rice scored the goal of the match with a second half stunner; and Rice is one of the Gunners’ more defence minded midfielders. That made it 21 goals for Arsenal in their last five league games; all won and with just two goals conceded.    

Back in Europe, front-runners Manchester City and Real Madrid have already won their first legs away from home… and now it’s over to Arsenal. 

History

The Gunners have had the better of the head to head Porto vs Arsenal results, winning four, drawing one and losing two of the seven meetings; but they have failed to win in their last three visits to Porto, losing the last two, but the two teams have not met since 2010.

Porto have been very strong at home recently and are unbeaten at the Estadio do Dragao in ten games and they have won four of their last six games, while the Gunners come into the game on the back of those five consecutive victories, preceded by a 2-0 FA Cup loss to Liverpool.      

Betting Tip

The Porto vs Arsenal betting odds give the hosts a slim chance to qualify for the quarter finals at a price of 4.03 while Arsenal are priced at 1.17; and if the visitors win the first leg at 1.65 then Porto will have a mountain to climb. Porto are at 4.47 to win the first tie and 3.34 to Draw, with the Double Chance: Win or Draw at 2.24. Both teams qualified for the knockout phase at a canter and while Arsenal have been in scintillating form over the past few weeks, Porto will be no pushover… and I think with both teams boasting exciting attacks we’ll see some goals.

 

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