Arsenal vs Porto Predictions, Tips and Odds: Martinelli ‘lesser team’ comment stokes the fires
Arsenal will have to come from behind against Porto at the Emirates if they’re to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, trailing 1-0 after the first leg.
Arsenal vs Porto predictions
Arsenal vs Porto: Predictions |
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| Bet | Prediction | Bookmaker odds |
| BTTS? | Yes | 6/5 with Midnite |
| Correct Score | Arsenal 3-1 Porto | 10/1 with Unibet |
| First Goalscorer | Kai Havertz | 6/1 with Bet Goodwin |
The stats behind our Arsenal vs Porto predictions:
- Arsenal have kept just five clean sheets in their last 15 matches across all competitions.
- Porto and Arsenal’s 2.3 goals per match in this year’s Champions League is bettered only by Atletico Madrid (2.4) and Man City (3.0).
- Kai Havertz has four goals in his last five appearances across all competitions.
Gabriel Martinelli stokes the fires with ‘lesser team’ comment
Given they lost the first leg and must come from behind, the stakes are pretty high already for Arsenal in this Champions League encounter. And given they’re facing a Porto side that has reached the quarter-finals of this competition three times in the last five years — exactly three more times than Arsenal have during that period — it’s not going to be an easy task, even at home.
Nevertheless, Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli still believes he’s facing a ‘lesser team’ at the Emirates this week; a comment that is bound to fire up some of Porto’s bigger characters, regardless of how Martinelli meant it.
“We have to minimize the mistakes and score the goals we need,” the Brazil international said. “We are confident. We know the potential of our team. We are going to play at home and we are going to go all out to win the game.
“Sometimes you don’t lose Championships in big games, but in the game against lesser teams. I think you have to take every game seriously and be very focused, because every game is important.”
Arsenal vs Porto match tip
Kai Havertz to score or assist @ 10/11 with Sky Bet
Kai Havertz was the match-winner for Arsenal in their 2-1 win over Brentford at the weekend, and the German is in a rich vein of form. He has now scored four goals and provided two assists in his last five games for Arsenal across all competitions — though the only blank was the 1-0 defeat to Porto in the first leg.
Arsenal vs Porto odds
Arsenal are the clear favourites for this tie, even more so now that they have home advantage. That said, they were strong favourites in the away leg before ultimately leaving Portugal bruised. There is the worrying stat that Arsenal have lost each of their last five home games in the knockout stages of the Champions League, with each of those coming in the last 16. However, that goes up against Arsenal winning all three of their Champions League home games this season by an aggregate score of 12-0. Which record will break?
Arsenal vs Porto team news
Arsenal team news |
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| In | Out | Doubtful |
| David Raya | Gabriel Martinelli, Jurrien Timber | Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Martinelli |
David Raya should return to the starting XI having been ineligible to face parent club Brentford at the weekend, replacing Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks. Gabriel Martinelli looks set to miss out after being absent from training on Monday, having suffered a foot injury at the weekend. But Takehiro Tomiyasu appears likely to be available, having returned to training.
Top Scorer: Gabriel Jesus (4)
Card Magnet: Declan Rice (2)
Assist Ace: Bukayo Saka (4)
Porto team news |
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| In | Out | Doubtful |
| Mehdi Taremi | Ivan Marcano, Zaidu Sanusi, Gabriel Veron | – |
Ivan Marcano and Zaidu Sanusi are both out long-term, while Gabriel Veron has not travelled with the squad.=. Mehdi Taremi is back in the squad, however, after injury.
Top Scorer: Galeno (5)
Card Magnet: David Carmo (3)
Assist Ace: Galeno (3)
How to watch Arsenal vs Porto Live
The second leg of this Champions League last 16 tie between Arsenal and Porto will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 at 8pm on Tuesday, 12th March.
Arsenal vs Porto head-to-head
- 21 February 2024 – Porto 1-0 Arsenal – Champions League
- 9 March 2010 – Arsenal 5-0 Porto – Champions League
- 17 February 10 – Porto 2-1 Arsenal – Champions League
- 10 December 2008 – Porto 2-0 Arsenal – Champions League
- 30 September 2008 – Arsenal 4-0 Porto – Champions League
Arsenal have won all three of their home matches against Porto but have lost three and drawn one of their away games.
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