Porto v Arsenal

Arsenal will have to put their recent poor run behind them as they travel  to FC Porto tonight for the first leg of their Champions League tie.

The Gunners will have to do things the hard way as Eduardo, Andrey Arshavin, Alex Song, Williams Gallas and Manuel Almunia have all been ruled out of the tie through injury.

The Portuguese champions did well in their group games, winning four and losing two, both in tight games against Chelsea. Arsenal also won four group games, drew one and lost one, but the English side may struggle tonight.

On current form, Arsenal have been stuttering of late having drawn one and lost three before beating Liverpool in the important mid-week Premier League game last Wednesday. It could be difficult for them to repeat the feat tonight.

Porto are on a good run of form in the Portuguese league, having won their last three home matches including a 5-2 win over Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese Cup. They have only lost once at home all season, and that was the previously mentioned game against Chelsea.

The Gunners have been drifting since the injuries were anounced, but even at 2/1 it is hard to justify backing them.

The game looks likely to be a tight affair and the draw looks the best bet at 11/5 with VCbet.

Published 17-02-2010

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