2023-24 UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg – Porto vs Arsenal

Porto entertain Arsenal at Estadio do Dragao in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2023-24 UEFA Champions League. 

Porto qualified for this stage after they edged out Shakhtar Donetsk to finish second in Group H, whilst Arsenal topped Group B.

 

Team News

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Mehdi Taremi is a doubt for Porto after he suffered a thigh injury during training.

Goncalo Ribeiro (unspecified), Ivan Marcano, Zaidu Sanusi (both ACL) and Gabriel Veron (Achilles) remain absent.

Arsenal could welcome Fabio Vieira (groin) back into contention subject to fitness tests.

Thomas Partey (muscle) could also be involved in the matchday squad but Takehiro Tomisyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko (both calf), Gabriel Jesus and Jurrien Timbers (both knee) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Porto host Arsenal at Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday 21 February at 9pm CET (8pm UK Time), live on TNT Sport 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Porto have won two of six previous Champions League meetings against Arsenal (W2, D1, L3).
• Arsenal are winless in three previous visits to Porto (D1, L2).
• Porto lost 6-2 on aggregate to Arsenal in their only previous Round of 16 meeting, having won 2-1 at home in the first leg then lost 5-0 away in the second leg in 2009-10 season.
• Pepe has scored in each of Porto’s last two home games in the Champions League (W2).
• Two of Arsenal’s four away goals in the group stage were scored by Gabriel Jesus.

 

Prediction

Despite failing to top their group on head-to-head points, Porto did score the most goals in their section so certainly can’t be underestimated despite their recent dip in form, but Evanilson will be the biggest threat for Arsenal’s defence given his excellent form this season.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners however are an equally strong threat with 11 goals in their last two matches without reply, especially given how ruthlessly they dismantled West Ham and Burnley but this game will certainly pose a huge test of Arsenal’s defensive ability given Porto’s attacking form.

I therefore do expect this game to be a tough contest particularly given Arsenal’s poor away form against Porto, but this Arsenal team feels much stronger than previous precedessors so I do fancy them to nick something to put the tie in their hands for the home leg.

Prediction: Porto 1-1 Arsenal

Result: Porto 1-0 Arsenal