Arsenal-Porto is a match valid for the return leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League and is played on Tuesday at 9 p.m.: live TV, streaming, probable formations, predictions.
After the last day of the Premier League, Arsenal found themselves in first place in the standings, tied on points with Liverpool. The Gunners took advantage of the direct clash between the other two title contenders, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds and Manchester City, to return to the top and continue dreaming of England’s scepter.
From the match at Anfield, then, came the result Mikel Arteta’s men were hoping for, a draw. Thus, thanks to their success over Brentford twenty-four hours earlier – their eighth league win in a row – the Londoners were able to bypass Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens and reach the top. In 2024, Arsenal has essentially missed only two games, the one with Liverpool in the FA Cup but especially the round of 16 first leg match with Porto, which threatens to jeopardize qualification for the quarterfinals of the cup with the big ears. Three weeks ago, in Portugal, the Sergio Conceiçao-coached team managed to muzzle (zero shots on goal) an attack that had scored back-to-back goals in previous games. And then, in the midst of recovery, came the knockout blow, with Galeno giving the Lusitanians a very valuable victory.
An unpredicted remuntada
It will take a feat to defend the 1-0 first leg win at Emirates Stadium but this Porto side seems to have all the cards – starting with the vast experience at these levels – to accomplish it.
Arsenal will have to be very careful because they will face an opponent bursting with health and who in their own league, two days ago, trimmed five goals (5-0) off their rivals Benfica, who are ahead of them in the standings. Last weekend, on the other hand, Porto had no problem against Portimonense, overwhelmed 3-0 at home: they are seven points behind leading Sporting but continuing at this pace to complete the comeback and get back in the title race will not be at all impossible. Conceiçao recovers striker Taremi, who will initially sit on the bench, while the only absentees among the Portuguese are Marcano and Sanusi. Many doubts instead for Arteta, who is worried about the condition of Martinelli, who was injured against Brentford. The Brazilian, however, is expected to grit his teeth, as are the re-established Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus.
The Prediction
Undoubtedly Porto will need another perfect match, especially in the non-possession phase of the ball, to get out of Emirates Stadium unscathed. It comes hard, however, to imagine that in front of their own public the Gunners will again be inconsistent offensively. Although with some difficulty, Arteta’s team will likely manage to reverse the defeat of three weeks ago: in any case, we do not expect a major goal difference, given the Lusitanians’ moment of form. There is a good chance of witnessing a more prolific second half than the first.
The probable lineups of Arsenal-Porto
ARSENAL (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Ødegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
PORT (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; João Mário, Pepe, Otávio, Wendell; Varela, Nico González, Pepê; Conceição, Evanilson, Galeno.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
