Wenderson Galeno

Arsenal vs Porto Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips

Arnav Kholkar

Arsenal vs Porto Preview

Arsenal vs Porto will take place at the Emirates Stadium for their second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on March 12. The Portuguese side carry a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg.

The hosts enter this game on the back of a strong run of form. With just one defeat and seven wins in their last eight games, the Gunners look solid ahead of this game. They have scored a jaw-dropping 23 goals in their last six games and will look to continue in the same way. Their last outing was a hard-fought 2-1 win against Brentford in the Premier League as Mikel Arteta’s side had to dig deep. They will need to do the same against Porto on Tuesday.

The visitors, too, will enter this match on the back of a good run of form. Porto are unbeaten in their last six games across competitions and have kept four clean sheets in that span. They have been great in front of goal as well, scoring 10 times in their last three games. They smashed rivals Benfica 5-0 at home before defeating Portimonense 3-0 away from home in their last game. They were looking to put in another strong performance on foreign soil.

With that said, let’s take a look at the team news coming out of both camps.

Arsenal vs Porto Team News

Arsenal

Manager Mikel Arteta will remain without long-term absentees Jurrien Timber (ACL tear) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf). The pair are expected to make their return to action before the end of the season.

Elsewhere, Gabriel Martinelli’s foot injury is worse than first detected and the Brazilian will miss the Porto game. The cut he had reached his bone and will need additional days off to recover.

Porto

Manager Sergio Conceicao, too, will have a short injury list to deal with ahead of this game. Long-term absentees Ivan Marcano and Zaidu remain sidelined with cruciate ligament injuries. They are expected to return to action directly next season.

Arsenal vs Porto Predicted Lineups

Arsenal

David Raya
Arsenal’s David Raya. (Getty Images)

Arteta was forced to make a goalkeeping change for the last game as David Raya was ineligible to face parent club Brentford. However, the Spaniard will return to the XI, with Gabriel Jesus to start out wide on the left instead of Leandro Trossard.

Predicted XI: David Raya (GK); Benjamin White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jakub Kiwior; Jorginho, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard (C); Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus.

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Porto

Porto went with a full-strength lineup in their league win last time out and are expected to do the same against Arsenal.

Predicted XI: Diogo Costa (GK); Joao Mario, Pepe (C), Otavio, Wendell; Nico Gonzalez, Alan Varela; Francisco Conceicao, Pepe, Wenderson Galeno; Evanilson.

Wenderson Galeno
Porto’s Wenderson Galeno (R) in action against Benfica. (Getty Images)

Arsenal vs Porto Head-to-Head Record

The teams have faced each other quite frequently, with all games coming in the Champions League. Porto currently edge the head-to-head record with three wins to Arsenal’s two. It is interesting to note that neither team has won away from home in seven previous meetings.

Last 5 Games

  • Porto 1-0 Arsenal (02/24)
  • Arsenal 5-0 Porto (03/10)
  • Porto 2-1 Arsenal (02/10)
  • Porto 2-0 Arsenal (12/08)
  • Arsenal 4-0 Porto (10/08)

Arsenal vs Porto Prediction

Seeing that the Portuguese side have a weak record on English soil, as evident from their previous results against the Gunners, it is hard to look past the hosts. Arsenal dug deep to secure a 2-1 win in their last game and should do enough to keep that run going.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Porto.

Arsenal vs Porto Betting Tips & Odds

Considering Porto have not even scored a goal at the Emirates Stadium in three previous meetings, the Gunners are favourites to win at home.

Additionally, the Portuguese side have never won on English soil in 21 previous games, conceding 53 goals in that time. All this points towards a win for Arsenal, who stuttered against Brentford but should be back to their best.

Tips

  • Total Goals Over 2.5 – Yes: 1.61
  • FC Porto to Score – No: 1.74
  • Arsenal to Score in Both Halves – Yes: 1.85

Match Odds

  • Arsenal Win: 1.23
  • Draw: 6.60
  • FC Porto Win: 14.50

Arsenal vs Porto Timings & Telecast

  • Date & Time: Tuesday, March 12th at 8:00 PM (GMT).
  • India: Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV app & website.
  • UK: TNT Sports.
  • US: CBS Sports Golazo.

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