FC Porto take on the visitors Liverpool at “Estadio do Dragao” in the first-leg fight of the 1/8 stage of the UEFA Champions League. The game will be played in Porto on Wednesday, February 14th.
The supporters of FC Porto were lucky to see 15 goals scored in three home tackles within the UEFA Champions League group stage. The club has an experienced squad, nevertheless, it concedes too much. For instance, “Dragoes” have managed to record only one clean sheet on the group stage, having conceded in total 10 goals in six encounters conducted. The level of the Portuguese Primeira Liga differs dramatically from the one of the UEFA Champions League, thus, the team hasn’t got used to perform on top speed which resulted in a bulk of goals conceded. FC Porto recorded nine goals against in three recent Play Offs battles of the UEFA Champions League. Moreover, the club’s situation is worsened by disqualification of Felipe as well as a big question about participation of Ivan Marcano who are both the key defenders.
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Meanwhile, the common problem of all Jurgen Klopp’s sides is their defense as an aggressive play on the opponents’ half of the field leads to a great tiredness and enlargement of mistakes near the own goals. At the moment Emre Can is a main performer in the squad who is responsible for breaking the rivals’ counterattacks, however, he won’t be able to help his teammates in the upcoming clash because of the suspension which may become a huge problem for the side. “Reds” have conceded five goals in four games played on the road in the UEFA Champions League and 22 goals in 14 away encounters within the English Premier League. However, the club also has enormously dangerous offense which very often saves the situation despite a bulk of goals conceded. Thus, “The Merseysiders” have scored 11 goals at away fields within the UEFA Champions League group stage and 34 goals in 14 away battles in terms of the English elite division.
Liverpool are considered to be the favourites of the upcoming tackle as they have fantastic attacking capability. However, taking into account the fact that FC Porto are not likely to count for earning a pass to the quarter-final stage thanks to a triumph on “Anfield”, I would expect for active football from the “Dragoes” who may use the visitors’ vulnerability in defense.
Prediction for the match: Over 2.5 scored goals.
