UCL: Arsenal vs Porto: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The Champions League RO16 second leg is set to be underway

Arsenal face a significant challenge at the Emirates on Tuesday as they seek to progress in this season’s Champions League. The return fixture against Porto follows a 1-0 defeat in the previous clash, where the Gunners delivered a subpar performance in Portugal. Galeno’s late strike secured the win for Porto, and Arsenal, despite holding 65% possession, failed to register a single shot on target in the match, contributing to their deserved loss.

Porto enter the upcoming match with a significant morale boost, fueled by Galeno’s stunning late winner in the first leg and a commanding 5-0 victory against arch-rivals Benfica in the league. The Dragons’ recent form reflects their Champions League pedigree, showcasing resilience and bravery. As the pressure mounts on Arsenal, Porto are poised to demonstrate their ability to stand firm against any opponent. Anticipate a close and thrilling contest as both teams vie for supremacy.

Kick-Off:

Tuesday, 12th Mar 2024, 08:00 PM (GMT), 03:00 PM (EST)

Wednesday, 13th Mar 2024, 01:30 AM (IST)

Stadium: Emirates Stadium

Form

Arsenal Form (All Competitions): W-W-L-W-W

Porto Form (All Competitions): W-W-W-D-W

Players to Watch

Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal)

Ødegaard’s game stands out most for his forward-thinking approach when in possession. He seizes every opportunity to advance play by skillfully breaking lines with incisive passes, effectively eliminating opponents from the equation.

His continual movement throughout the attacking third not only sustains the intensity of his own performance but also propels his team’s attacks with unwavering momentum. Despite not possessing exceptional speed, his remarkable balance, agility, low center of gravity, and superb close control enable him to consistently elude pressure.

Wenderson Galeno (Porto)

Galeno have evolved his ball orientation to a more dynamic level, transcending the traditional role of an outside winger. In this transformed version, he emerges as a significant box threat, adept at creating opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Galeno’s amalgamation of attributes, including pace, dribbling prowess, and direct style of play, positions him as a pivotal and influential player in the upcoming fixture. His multifaceted skills make him a key asset for the team in the impending contest.

Match Facts

• Arsenal FC have won 3 home matches in a row.
• In their last meeting, FC Porto won by 1 goal.
• FC Porto haven’t lost in their last 5 games.

Injury and Team News

Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu, both dealing with a calf injury and knock respectively, haven’t been definitively ruled out, though their prospects for a return are less certain. Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber, recovering from an ACL injury, is still in the process of building up match fitness and is expected to need several more weeks. On a positive note, the rest of the squad is set to be available for the upcoming match.

Ivan Marcano and Zaidu Sanusi continue to be sidelined due to injuries and the rest of the players are in good health and available for the upcoming match.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 7

Porto: 4

Arsenal: 2

Draws: 1

Predicted Lineup for Arsenal vs Porto

Arsenal Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):

Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Ødegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

Porto Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):

Diogo Costa; João Mário, Pepe, Otávio, Wendell; Varela, Nico González; Pepê, Francisco Conceição, Galeno, Evanilson

Match Prediction for Arsenal vs Porto

Arsenal faced a challenging 90 minutes in the first leg against a resilient Porto side, showcasing their toughness and discipline. The Gunners are acutely aware of the task at hand as they aim to secure a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010. In what promises to be a closely contested encounter, Arsenal is poised to overcome the hurdles and secure qualification for the next round.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Porto

Telecast for Arsenal vs Porto

India – Sony Sports Network

UK – TNT Sports

US – CBS, TUDN

Nigeria – Supersport

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