Wednesday 22nd February 2016 Kickoff: 1945hrs Porto v Juventus Football – Europe – Champions League The two Champions League games played on Wednesday have plenty to live up to considering the six games played previous to them. There have been an astonishing 30 goals scored in the other six games – who said first legs were boring?! Porto come into this as the underdogs but they have a respectable home record in the Champions League and will feel they have to get a good result in front of their own supporters to have a chance in the second leg in Turin, against a Juventus side who simply do not lose at home.
Porto have struggled for stability in recent seasons with numerous managerial changes having an effect on performances on the park. They finished in a distant third behind perennial rivals Benfica and Sporting Lisbon last year, however unlike the latter of those two, they made it into the group stage of the Champions League with an impressive win over Roma in the playoff round. That win was followed by a good performance in the group stage in what was a relatively kind draw against Leicester, Copenhagen and Club Brugge. Porto lost only once at that stage but secured qualification with a thumping 5-0 win at home to the English champions on the final match day. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo will be under no illusion that the challenge which awaits them on Wednesday will be much greater, however, and requires their best performance to pose Juve problems.
The Italian champions would have been smarting for a long time after their agonizing extra time loss to Bayern Munich at this stage last season. The 2015 finalists looked to have sealed things in Germany by taking a two goal lead but they were undone late on and eventually went down 4-2 after extra time. It’s such small margins at this level, of course, and would have been motivation to get them back to the final stages once again this year. Max Allegri’s men virtually coasted through the group stage, remaining unbeaten and recording an extremely impressive victories away to Lyon and Sevilla in the process. That was more than enough to top their section and ensure they go on their travels in the first leg at the last 16 stage. Porto, although difficult in its own right, is not the toughest opponent they could have faced and there will be confidence that they can progress to the quarter finals in the form they’re currently in.
Porto v Juventus Betting Tip
Both these teams have enjoyed good runs of late with Porto winning their last six games and lost just once in their last 18 games. What has also been noticeable is the improvement in their scoring rate with 17 goals in their last six games, whereas before it was an area they had struggled in the earlier part of the campaign. Juventus are in ominous form themselves, however, losing just one of their last 15 and winning 13 of them. What’s somewhat surprising is that the Italians have only drawn twice all season – both draws coming in this competition at home.
For anyone who took the time to read my preview of the Champions League back in August, Juve – along with Atletico Madrid – were my two picks for the competition and I’m feeling pretty confident about the former’s chances of making it past Porto at the very least. Allegri’s team are formidably consistent and with Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala forming an electric partnership, they look much more dynamic going forward than either of the two seasons where they have impressed. In terms of this game, I’m loathed to select and away win considering they are already advised but I’m convinced there is a sizeable gap between these two in terms of quality and Juve have been excellent on the road this season in Europe – away win.
Juventus 13/10 @ Skybet
