Arsenal vs FC Porto prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-03-11 20:00.
[p]Riding high after a 2-1 Premier League win against Brentford which kept them firmly in contention for the title, Arsenal now turn their attention to overturning their 1-0 deficit against Porto in this UEFA Champions League (UCL) last 16 tie. Ominously for the Gunners, theyâve been eliminated from nine of their previous ten UCL ties in which theyâve lost the first leg, although the one exception was against Porto in 2009/10.[/p]
[p]Arsenal won the second leg 5-0 that time around, part of a run of three successive home H2H wins âto nilâ  – all by big enough margins to advance in 90 minutes here. Theyâve been equally as formidable on home turf in the UCL this season, winning all three group games by an aggregate 12-0 scoreline, which should boost belief that a first UCL quarter-final appearance since 2009/10 is on the cards. [/p]
[p]Having beaten Portimonense 3-0 on Friday night to keep on the coattails of the league leaders in the Portuguese top-flight, Porto have been afforded slightly more rest and recuperation time than Arsenal. That victory extended their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions (W5, D1), with four clean sheets in that streak, another of which would be enough to ensure they progress here. [/p]
[p]Securing one seems incredibly unlikely, not only given the Gunnersâ rampant recent form, but because Porto have never won away to an English club (D3, L18). Such a poor record has certainly played its part in the fact that theyâve been eliminated from their last seven knockout ties against English opposition, which presents a huge psychological hurdle to overcome for a Porto side bidding to reach the UCL last eight for the first time since 2020/21.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Kai Havertz has scored in three successive games, and given all nine of his Gunners scoring appearances ended in victory, history would suggest making it four in a row would be a good omen. Portoâs Galeno has also scored in three successive matches, and his stoppage time winner in the first leg is currently the difference between these two sides. [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Arsenal have conceded in their last seven games against Portuguese opposition.[/p]