Liverpool v Porto Betting Tips: Reds to continue European dream?
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Preview and odds for Champions League quarter-final
Liverpool put their Premier League charge on hold tonight, as they take on Porto in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.
On paper many reckon Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have landed an easy path to the last four. They’ve avoided Barcelona, Juventus and Manchester City.
But the Anfield outfit won’t be taking any chances. It gets underway at 8.00pm, live on BT Sport 3.
Head-to-head
Liverpool have enjoyed great success versus the Portuguese giants. They won 5-0 in Porto in last season’s round of 16 clash, before seeing the tie out with a 0-0 at Anfield.
They’ve never lost against the Dragons, winning home ties in the 2007/08 Champions League group stages and the 2000/01 UEFA Cup quarter-finals.
Form-wise Klopp’s men have won five on the spin and haven’t lost at home since September. Sergio Conceicao’s visitors have won five of their last six matches, but they’ve failed to win any of their last 12 away games in Champions League knockout ties.
Likely XIs
Klopp’s only major issue tonight is the suspension of Andrew Robertson. It means James Milner will fill in at left-back.
That in turn means it’s likely the Liverpool boss will pick Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum in midfield, with the famed trio of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino up front.
Liverpool won’t have to deal with the antics of three-time Champions League winner Pepe. The Porto centre-half is suspended, as is midfielder Hector Herrera.
Moussa Marega will lead the line up front, alongside their top-scorer Tiquinho Soares. Former Real Madrid stopper Iker Casillas will be between the sticks.
Key battles
Tonight is likely to be all about Liverpool dictating possession and the game inside the Porto half. The Reds will be after a couple of goals tonight, to avoid any risk in next week’s second leg.
Porto will look to shut Liverpool down, and deny Salah and Mane space in and around the box. If they can succeed, then they’ll hope to counter on the break in search of the vital away goal.
The visitors will have a tough job, though. Liverpool have shown a steely resolve in recent weeks. They’ve scored 14 goals in their last five games, including a number of crucial late strikes.
Match odds
Our traders reckon Liverpool take a first-leg advantage tonight. The Premier League leaders are 2/7 to win the game. There’s a chunky 11/1 about Porto, and 17/4 for a draw.
To qualify, there’s 1/5 about Klopp’s men, with the Portuguese side at 10/3.
Ideally, Salah and co would like to win this one by a couple of goals or more. There’s 5/6 on Liverpool -1 and 2/1 about the hosts -2.
Salah and Mane share first goalscorer favouritism at 3/1. The Egyptian netted a sublime solo effort in Friday’s win over Southampton, but it’s Mane who has been banging them in of late, with eight goals in his last eight games.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
