FC Porto - Arsenal predictions and free betting tips [21/02/2024]

On Wednesday, 21st February, within the first match of the 1/8 Champions League finals, 'Porto' will host London's 'Arsenal' on their home ground. 'The Gunners' easily won Group B, whereas 'The Dragons' finished second after Barcelona and this past weekend thrashed 'Estrela' (2:0).

Predicted Line-ups

'Porto': Costa; Mario, Pepe, Otavio, Sanchez; Varela, Gonzalez; Conceicao, Pepe, Galeno; Evanilson.
'Arsenal': Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.

Stadium

The match will take place in Porto at the Dragao Stadium.

'Porto'

Champions League winners in 2004, since then Porto has no similar achievement – though they won the Europa League seven years later. 'The Dragons' are a top team in Portugal with 30 national champion titles under their belt. However, this season the blue and whites are only third in the league, lagging seven points behind the leading 'Sporting'. Lumped in a Champions League group with Barcelona, Porto secured the second spot thanks to a solid 5:3 victory over formidable Shakhtar in the final round.

Hosts look unbeatable since the calendar year began, scoring four consecutive wins over 'Estoril' in the Cup (0:4) and in the league over 'Braga' (2:0), 'Moreirense' (5:0) and 'Farense' (1:3). After the surprising slip-up against 'Arouca' (3:2) two weeks ago, Manager Conceicao's charges bounced back last Saturday, beating 'Estrela' 2:0. In seven out of the last eight Champions League face-offs against English teams, the Portuguese have been ousted from the tournament. 

'Arsenal'

This season, 'The Gunners' are back in the Champions League and impressively took top spot in their group, beating PSV (second), 'Lens' (third) and 'Sevilla' (fourth). However, it's worth noting that the London club couldn't avoid defeat, losing 2:1 in France. Finishing runners-up in the Premier League last year, Manager Mikel Arteta's charges are once again fighting for the title: the red and whites occupy second place in the league, trailing the leading Liverpool by two points.

After going three rounds without a win in late December, the Londoners gathered great momentum in 2024. So, the capital's team went on to win their last five league matches: against Crystal Palace (5:0), Nottingham Forest (1:2), Liverpool (3:1), West Ham (0:6) and Burnley last weekend (0:5). Interestingly, the visitors won their first five league matches in a calendar year for the first time in the glorious 138-year history. 

Head-to-Head

In their history, these two clubs have met each other seven times: Arsenal has got four wins, and the Portuguese club - two. The last time the teams played was in 2010 in the 1/8 final of the Champions League and then the Gunners advanced (2:1 and 5:0).

Predictions for the 'Porto' vs. 'Arsenal' Match

'Porto' is only third in their home league this season, while 'Arsenal' has been phenomenally thriving in 2024, unleashing a succession of routing victories. Indeed, the roar of the home crowd may aid 'The Dragons', yet the Londoners perform even better on the road this season than at the Emirates. My prediction is for an away win.

Over/Under Predictions

No matter how admirable Porto's defence may be, Arsenal's impressive attack should have no trouble cracking open their goal. I am betting on Arsenal's individual total over 1.5 goals.

Corners Predictions

'Porto' won't just sit back and defend in front of the home crowd and will regularly pose a threat to Raya's goal. I am betting on the host's individual total of over 3.5 corners.

Yellow Cards Predictions

Porto at home will fight for every ball and won't hold back in challenges – I'm betting on the host's individual total of over 2.5 yellow cards.

Score Prediction

I'll bet on a scoreline of 0:2 in favour of 'Arsenal'.