Porto vs Arsenal Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 UEFA Champions League | Round of 16
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THE FACTS
When is Porto vs Arsenal on and what time does it start? Porto vs Arsenal will take place on Wednesday 21st February, 2024 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Porto vs Arsenal? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Porto vs Arsenal on in the UK? Porto vs Arsenal will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Porto vs Arsenal in the UK? Porto vs Arsenal can be streamed live on the discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
PORTO
Porto came into this season’s Champions League with expectation upon them to qualify for the knockout stage, especially after being drawn in a group with Shakhtar Donetsk and Antwerp, both of whom would have more than likely been seen by the Portuguese giants as ‘winnable’ opposition. Sergio Conceicao’s men did not disappoint, beating Shakhtar and Antwerp twice although they were beaten both home and away by Barcelona, meaning they finished in second-place.
Much will depend on striker Evanilson if Porto are to be successful across this round of 16 tie, the Brazilian having found the net four times in the group stage. He will be supported by winger and fellow countryman Galeno, who is most notable for scoring twice in both of Porto’s Group H fixtures against Shakhtar.
ARSENAL
Arsenal’s return to the Champions League has been hugely successful thus far, with the Premier League side sailing through to the round of 16 stage as runaway Group B winners, recording 13 points from a possible 18. Just as importantly, they arrive in Portugal in arguably their best form of the season so far, having won their last five Premier League games, accumulating a whopping 21 goals in the process, scoring at least five times in three of those matches.
The one to watch from the Gunners has to be England international Bukayo Saka. Playing on the right-hand-side of a front three, Saka was a star for Arsenal across the group stage, accruing three goals and assists and boasts six goals in his four most recent appearances. Mikel Arteta’s side also pose a huge offensive threat from set pieces, with centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel each having found the net over the past few weeks.
THE TEAM NEWS
PORTO
The big question mark regarding the Porto starting line-up is who will partner the timeless 40-year-old Pepe at centre-back. Fabio Cardoso started each of Porto’s most recent two Champions League fixtures, but there will be a temptation for Conceicao to opt for 21-year-old Otavio instead, the club’s deadline day signing from Famalicao who played alongside Pepe this past Saturday. Not available the hosts are defenders Marcano and Zaidu Sanusi, along with striker Mehdi Taremi, all of whom are injured.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Costa; Mario, Pepe, Cardoso, Wendell; Varela, Gonzalez; Conceicao, Pepe, Galeno; Evanilson
UNAVAILABLE: Marcano (Injured), Sanusi (Injured) Taremi (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ARSENAL
Neither defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, nor striker Gabriel Jesus were seen in training for Arsenal on the day before this match and the expectation is that both will miss out through their respective injuries. If so, they will join Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey on the sidelines, whilst despite travelling to Portugal with the squad, Fabio Viera is a huge doubt. The likelihood is that Arteta won’t make any changes from the XI who started against Burnley at the weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
UNAVAILABLE: Timber (Injured), Tomiyasu (Injured), Zinchenko (Injured), Jesus (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Partey (Injured), Vieira (Injured)
THE KEY STATS
- Both teams are close to reaching the landmark of 300 goals scored in the UEFA Champions League (group stage to final). Porto have scored 299 goals and Arsenal’s total is 297.
- Porto have lost only three of their last 12 UEFA Champions League matches (W8 D1).
- Porto have won only one of their last ten UEFA club competition matches against English teams (D2 L7).
- Porto have won only three of their last 13 first leg matches in UEFA club competition two-legged ties (D1 L9).
- Arsenal have lost only two of their last 15 UEFA club competition matches (W9 D4).
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last eight UEFA club competition matches against Portuguese teams (W3 D5).
- Arsenal have won only one of their last eight matches in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 (D1 L6).
- Arsenal have lost their last six first leg matches in the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
THE PREDICTION
The form of Arsenal across the past weeks have seen many not only in England, but also the whole of Europe sit up and take notice. Mikel Arteta has his side playing in a way that is not only yielding plenty of goals, but also adding an extra layer of steel to an already formidable defence. If the Gunners continue to play at those high levels over the course of this first-leg, the expectation is that they will wind up too strong for Porto, particularly from an attacking point of view. Therefore, back Arsenal to travel back to North London with a first-leg lead.
TIP: ARSENAL TO WIN
